MOFA Calls North Korea's Claims 'Groundless'... Nuclear-powered Submarine is Defensive Measure, Not Nuclear Weapon

The government rebutted North Korea's claim on the 13th that South Korea's construction of a nuclear-powered submarine is for the development of nuclear weapons, calling it a "legitimate defensive measure against North Korea." The government's rebuttal comes in response to criticism by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Geon-chol the previous day, who argued that South Korea's construction of a nuclear-powered submarine is aimed at nuclear weapons development as its ultimate goal and would cause regional security instability.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Park Du-soon stated clearly during a briefing that day that "our development of a nuclear-powered submarine is to respond to the rapidly changing security environment, such as the North's advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities," and that "the development of a conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine that does not carry nuclear weapons is fully in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)." The government assesses that this measure will enhance anti-submarine capabilities against North Korea and drastically improve underwater operational survivability and endurance, thereby strengthening deterrence against the North.

In the 'Basic Plan for the Republic of Korea's Nuclear-powered Submarine' announced last May, the government declared that it would comply with international non-proliferation norms during the introduction process and decided to communicate closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding this. The government has established a full-fledged implementation system, including the creation of a dedicated division for nuclear submarine projects within the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the 11th, and is currently pushing for the project with the goal of launching an 8,000-ton lead ship in the mid-2030s.