Lee requests U.S. nuclear sub fuel / KBS 2025.10.29.　#KBSNews

Today (10.29), during the meeting, President Lee Jae Myung expressed his intention to secure nuclear-powered submarines and requested President Trump to allow the procurement of fuel.

President Trump also expressed his agreement, and the two countries decided to proceed with follow-up consultations.

This is a report by Son Seo-young.

[Report]

President Lee Jae Myung publicly requested President Trump to make a decision that would allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-powered submarines.

He explained that there is a need to respond to the regional security environment and that it aligns with strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance.

[President Lee Jae Myung: “If we build several submarines equipped with conventional weapons and conduct maritime defense activities in the East Sea and West Sea of the Korean Peninsula, I believe it could significantly reduce the burden on the U.S. military.”]

This is the first time the government has officially expressed its intention to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.

To develop and operate nuclear-powered submarines, it is necessary to secure small reactors and enriched uranium fuel, and currently, U.S. consent is essential under the nuclear agreement.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac explained that President Trump also agreed on the necessity.

[Wi Sung-lac/National Security Adviser: “In light of changes such as North Korea’s development of nuclear-powered submarines, President Trump agreed that South Korea needs such capabilities and said the two sides would proceed with follow-up consultations.”]

President Lee also specifically mentioned the revision of the nuclear agreement.

[President Lee Jae Myung: “If you could instruct for substantive consultations to make progress on the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and uranium enrichment, the issue could be resolved more quickly.”]

Instead of directly conveying our country’s requests in the security sector, he emphasized that our government would actively respond to the modernization of the Korea-U.S. alliance, including defense spending.

Along with this, he explained the commitment to denuclearization centered on the ‘END’ initiative, to which President Trump responded, “There is a need to enhance the deterrent capability of the Korea-U.S. alliance to address the North Korean nuclear issue.”

KBS News, Son Seo-young.

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