US President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States would share sensitive technology secretly held by South Korea that would enable it to build a nuclear-powered submarine. This follows talks between the leaders of the two countries aimed at modernising the alliance.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, in his meeting with Trump on Wednesday, touched on plans to increase military spending to reduce the US financial burden. Lee also stated that there may have been a misunderstanding in their last meeting in August, stating that his government was looking for nuclear fuel rather than weapons for nuclear-powered submarines.
Lee added that South Korea’s possession of nuclear-powered submarines could help US activities in the region.
Philly Shipyard and $150 Billion Investment
In a separate post, Trump said that his country will build its nuclear-powered submarine at the Philly Shipyard, which was acquired by the South Korean Hanwha Group last year.
Although the size or cost of the sub-project is not yet clear, it is known that South Korea has committed to invest $150 billion in America’s shipbuilding capacity as part of its talks with Trump.
The World’s Most Tightly Protected Technology
Trump’s statement is quite remarkable given the strict protection policy of the US on nuclear submarine technology.
US nuclear submarine technology is considered one of the most sensitive and most closely guarded technologies owned by the military.
Even in the recently announced agreement with its close allies, the United Kingdom and Australia, the United States did not foresee the direct transfer of this information.
North Korean Threat and Geopolitical Timing
Trump’s offer to share this technology comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. The statement came just before Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and after North Korea unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine under construction in March.
In the face of this weapon system, which poses a major security threat to South Korea and the United States, North Korea announced successful cruise missile tests on Wednesday.
While Pentagon officials have not yet responded to questions about Trump’s announcement to share nuclear submarine technology with South Korea, it is curious how this decision will be received in the US defence bureaucracy.
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