US Secretary of Defense says “It is very difficult now” on the idea of South Korea introducing nuclear-powered submarines.

Shangri-La Dialogue Expresses Negative Position…”US and Korea, Ally Relying on Each Other”,
,
,

Austin U.S. Secretary of Defense
[AP Yonhap News Agency file photo. Redistribution and DB prohibited],
,
, ‘ (Bangkok=Yonhap News) Correspondent Kang Jong-hoon = Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, expressed a negative stance on South Korea’s plan to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, saying “it is currently very difficult for the U.S. to accept.” ‘,
,
, ‘ According to Reuters and Bloomberg on the 1st (local time), Secretary Austin, when asked at the Shangri-La Dialogue in progress in Singapore after his speech if the U.S. would support South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, responded as follows.’,
,
, ‘ He said, “We have made efforts with AUKUS, and we have just started down that path with Australia,” and added, “It is very uncertain whether the U.S. will be able to make such plans with Korea in the near future.”‘,
,
, ‘ AUKUS, the security alliance between the U.S., UK, and Australia, was launched in 2021 focusing on responding to China’s security threats in the Indo-Pacific, and Australia is pursuing the possession of nuclear-powered submarines. ‘,
,
, ‘ AUKUS has agreed on plans to provide Australia with conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines (filler 1) and for the three countries to jointly develop advanced military capabilities (filler 2).’,
,
, ‘ Secretary Austin, while mentioning AUKUS, emphasized that despite drawing a line on South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, “Korea and the U.S. have been strong allies relying on each other in the past and will continue to do so in the future.”‘,
,
, ‘ Arguments were made following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s mention at the 8th Party Congress in 2021 that “the new nuclear submarine design research has been completed and is in the final review stage,” suggesting that South Korea needs to possess nuclear-powered submarines in the military sphere.’,
,
, ‘ When North Korea announced the construction of its first tactical nuclear attack submarine in September last year, the debate on the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines was raised.’,
,
, ‘ To secure the nuclear fuel necessary for the operation of nuclear-powered submarines, a revision of the U.S.-ROK Atomic Energy Agreement is necessary. ‘,
,
, ‘ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Kim Myeong-soo said in a confirmation hearing last November that “national policy judgment is required” regarding the possession of nuclear-powered submarines and stated, “Although there is sufficient military utility, it should be carefully reviewed and proceeded with.”‘,
,
, ‘ double@yna.co.kr’,
,
,