Seoul and Washington Agree to Pursue Separate Submarine Agreement South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac announced that Seoul will negotiate a stand‑alone pact with the United States to cooperate on nuclear‑powered submarines after a week‑long diplomatic tour of the United States, Canada and Japan [1]. The agreement would be distinct from existing bilateral nuclear accords, allowing a specific U.S. presidential exemption for technology transfers [1]. Wi presented the move as a continuation of cooperation outlined in a joint fact sheet released after the Lee Jae‑Myung–Trump summit at APEC in Gyeongju [1].

Goal Is U.S. Authorization Exception Under Atomic Energy Act The stand‑alone pact seeks to bypass Section 91 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which currently bans transfers of nuclear materials for military use without a presidential waiver [1]. By securing a separate exemption, South Korea hopes to obtain U.S. approval to acquire nuclear‑propulsion technology for its future submarine fleet [1]. This approach mirrors strategies employed by other allies seeking similar capabilities [1].

Plan Mirrors Australia’s AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Arrangement Seoul’s strategy is modeled on Australia’s separate agreement with Washington under the AUKUS security partnership, which granted Australia access to nuclear‑powered submarine technology [1]. The article highlights that Australia’s precedent demonstrates how a bilateral exemption can be structured outside broader multilateral frameworks [1]. South Korean officials view the AUKUS example as a viable template for their own procurement path [1].

South Korea Will Import Low‑Enriched Uranium Below 20% Wi clarified that any nuclear fuel for the submarines will be low‑enriched uranium (LEU) with enrichment levels under 20 percent, explicitly ruling out highly enriched uranium [1]. Under the existing bilateral nuclear accord, South Korea is prohibited from domestic enrichment and must import all LEU, a condition the new pact will respect [1]. The focus on LEU aligns with non‑proliferation commitments while enabling submarine propulsion [1].

U.S. Working‑Level Delegation Scheduled for Early 2026 Talks U.S. working‑level team is expected to travel to Seoul early next year to discuss implementation details of the proposed agreement [1]. The delegation will address technical, legal and export‑control issues tied to the nuclear‑submarine cooperation [1]. Wi’s broader diplomatic tour also included meetings with the UN Secretary‑General and coordination with Canada and Japan on regional security matters [1].