The South Korean government said that it has signed an agreement with America to build a nuclear submarine. According to the White House, America has given approval to South Korea to build a nuclear attack submarine. It has also been decided in the agreement that America will provide fuel for these submarines and will also provide technical cooperation.

Currently only 6 countries in the world have nuclear-powered submarines. These include America, China, Russia, Britain, France and India. South Korea has about 20 submarines, but they run on diesel. These submarines have to come out of water again and again. Whereas nuclear submarines are fast, powerful and capable of staying in water for a long time.

Both countries had signed a trade deal last month

This agreement was reached when both the countries signed a trade deal last month. US President Donald Trump had imposed 25% tariff on South Korea this year. President Lee Jae Myung got it reduced to 15%. In return, South Korea said that it will invest $350 billion in America. 200 billion in cash and 150 billion in shipbuilding.

Why does South Korea need these?

North Korea has recently been building its own nuclear submarine and released its pictures in March 2025. It is believed that Russia is helping him in this. South Korean President Lee told Trump at the APEC conference that he needed a nuclear submarine to face North Korea.

South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-bak said that nuclear submarines will be a pride for the country. Due to this, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will be worried. North Korea is estimated to have about 50 nuclear weapons and may prepare its own submarines in the coming years.

What will America get from this?

America wants South Korea to help it increase pressure on North Korea and China. Experts believe that South Korea will become an important ally of America in the region.

What will happen next now?

Trump said that these submarines will be built in Philadelphia, America, where South Korean company Hanwha has a shipyard. However, South Korea says that these submarines should be built in their country, because the Philadelphia Shipyard does not have that much capacity.

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also said that the Philadelphia shipyard cannot build a submarine of this level. Now both the countries will have to update the nuclear fuel agreement, so that America can supply nuclear fuel to South Korea.