Seoul, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : South Korea has taken a significant step towards developing nuclear-powered submarines. The country has officially informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intent to negotiate special safety arrangements for this project.
During a meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors in Vienna, Director General Rafael Grossi reported that South Korea expressed its desire to start discussions under Article 14 of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. This provision allows a nation to use nuclear material for military purposes, such as nuclear propulsion for submarines, provided that special arrangements with the IAEA are in place.
The plan involves developing conventional nuclear-powered submarines. These submarines will utilize nuclear energy for extended operations at sea, but they are not designed to carry nuclear weapons.
South Korea has assured the IAEA that it will fully comply with its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, and the Additional Protocol. The nation has also submitted necessary declarations to the agency regarding this matter.
Grossi has previously stated that if a strong and clear security arrangement is established between South Korea and the IAEA, there should be no concerns regarding nuclear proliferation related to this project. However, a significant technical challenge will be ensuring that the accounting of nuclear materials used in the submarines is meticulously maintained during operations.
The initiative for South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program gained momentum following security agreements established during a summit with the United States last year. In June, both countries began initial discussions to implement these agreements.
Domestically, South Korea has clarified that its aim is not to develop nuclear weapons. A proposed special law in July explicitly included a denial of intentions to develop, manufacture, or possess nuclear weapons.
The goal is to launch the first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s and integrate it into the naval fleet by the end of the decade. This move comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea is rapidly expanding its naval and nuclear capabilities. For South Korea, nuclear-powered submarines represent a crucial means of enhancing its strategic surveillance and long-term maritime presence.
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