Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

U.S. Defense Chief Shuts Down South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Plans

Daniel Kim Views  

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks at the opening session of the 21st Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on June 1, local time. Yonhap News

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin firmly opposes South Korea’s discussion of introducing nuclear submarines.

According to Reuters and Bloomberg, on the 1st, Austin responded to a panel question at the Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) in Singapore. When asked whether he would support South Korea’s push for the possession of nuclear submarines, Austin said it would be “very, very difficult.” “(AUKUS) is no small endeavor,” he said. “We just started down this path with Australia. (It’s) highly doubtful that we could take on another initiative of this type anytime in the near future.”

AUKUS is a security alliance between the U.S., UK, and Australia formed in 2021 to counter China’s security threats in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is pushing for the possession of nuclear submarines through the alliance. AUKUS has agreed to a plan (Pillar 1) to provide Australia with conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines and a plan (Pillar 2) for the three countries to develop advanced military technology jointly. To secure the nuclear fuel needed to operate nuclear submarines, South Korea must first amend the Korea-US Atomic Energy Agreement.

In 2021, after Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, mentioned at the 8th Party Congress that “the study for the design of a new nuclear submarine is completed and is in the final review stage,” there were continuous arguments on whether or not South Korea should also possess nuclear submarines. After North Korea announced the construction of its first tactical nuclear attack submarine in September last year, the argument for introducing nuclear submarines gained momentum again. Kim Myung Soo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the need to possess nuclear-powered submarines at a personnel hearing in November last year but said, “There is enough military utility, but it needs to be carefully reviewed.”

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[WORLD] Latest Stories

  • China Targets U.S. Tech Industry with Rare Earth Export Freeze
  • Porsche Taycan GTS Breaks Guinness Record with 10.9-Mile Ice Drift
  • Africa's MPOX Variant Clade 1b Reaches France: Health Officials Take Action
  • LA Wildfires’ Economic Toll Hits $50 Billion, Doubling Early Estimates
  • Real Reason Trump Wants Greenland and the Panama Canal: Geopolitical Dominance
  • Biden Targets China, Russia with New Semiconductor Export Limits

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Not Just Old Age: The Pneumonia That Affected Pope Francis’ Final Years

    LATEST 

  • 2
    This Common Vaccine May Help Protect Against Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Lilly’s Weight-Loss Pill Looks Strong in Trials—Ozempic’s Reign in Jeopardy?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Why Do My Eyes Look Bruised for No Reason? Here’s What Could Be Going On

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    This Common Travel Outfit Could Melt Onto Your Skin in a Fire

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    New Research Links These Grocery Store Staples to Type 2 Diabetes

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Moms-to-Be, Beware: This Common Condition May Raise Your Baby’s Autism Risk

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Zero-Calorie Sweeteners May Be Making You Hungrier, Study Find

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    The 1 Thing Every Woman Over 45 Needs to Hear About Menopause

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    Doctors Say You Should Stop Morning Showers—Here’s Why Nighttime Is Better

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Not Just Old Age: The Pneumonia That Affected Pope Francis’ Final Years

    LATEST 

  • 2
    This Common Vaccine May Help Protect Against Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Lilly’s Weight-Loss Pill Looks Strong in Trials—Ozempic’s Reign in Jeopardy?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Why Do My Eyes Look Bruised for No Reason? Here’s What Could Be Going On

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    This Common Travel Outfit Could Melt Onto Your Skin in a Fire

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    New Research Links These Grocery Store Staples to Type 2 Diabetes

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Moms-to-Be, Beware: This Common Condition May Raise Your Baby’s Autism Risk

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Zero-Calorie Sweeteners May Be Making You Hungrier, Study Find

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    The 1 Thing Every Woman Over 45 Needs to Hear About Menopause

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Doctors Say You Should Stop Morning Showers—Here’s Why Nighttime Is Better

    LIFESTYLE