Maroc - THECEKODOK.COM - A La Une - 31/Oct 12:24

South Korea to Build Nuclear-Powered Submarines in US

This week saw South Korea sign a number of agreements in the defense arena. Starting with a joint weapons development agreement with Malaysia on Monday, and yesterday South Korea was allowed to build its own nuclear-powered submarines at a shipyard in the US.President Trump made the announcement yesterday after meeting with South President Lee Jae Myung during the ongoing APEC summit in South Korea. Permission was given to South Korea because US technology will be used with the Hanwha Philly Shipyard being the construction site.Hanwha Philly Shipyard is owned by a South Korean company that took over Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. last year. With the US maintaining the workforce and weapons construction in the country.At present, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has 21 conventionally powered submarines (SSK). Nuclear-powered submarines will give the ROKN the ability to conduct almost non-stop underwater operations. The KSS-III class submarine is believed to be the basis for the construction of nuclear submarines that may use the KSS-N class name.Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back was quoted as saying the country has the capability to build its own submarines with small nuclear reactors while the enriched nuclear fuel is sourced from the United States.When completed, South Korea will become the eighth country after the U.S., UK, Russia, China, India, France and Australia to have nuclear-powered submarines. The AUKUS agreement between the U.S., UK and Australia in 2021 to build nuclear-powered submarines has raised tensions with China.The announcement has drawn a similar reaction with Beijing hoping that South Korea and the United States will earnestly fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation (NPT) obligations and do things to promote regional peace and stability, not the other way around.