US Navy: South Korea Must Have Valid Reasons for Nuclear Submarines, Not for National Status

▲ The U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters building at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii

The U.S. Navy stated on the 9th (local time) regarding South Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines that a clear purpose must back the decision rather than mere symbolic reasons.

This remark is drawing attention as it comes while South Korea has been actively pursuing cooperation on building nuclear submarines following last year's South Korea-U.S. summit and continuing follow-up discussions with the U.S. side.

Meeting with journalists from the Asia-Pacific region, including South Korea, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii that day, a U.S. Navy official was asked about South Korea's acquisition of nuclear submarines and responded, "South Korea needs to find a valid reason to possess nuclear submarines."

The official explained, "If South Korea is purchasing a nuclear submarine simply for a status symbol, that would be the wrong reason, because it is an enormous expense."

The official then introduced past remarks by Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, who mentioned regarding South Korea's push for nuclear submarines that "if South Korea never leaves adjacent waters, nuclear submarines will not be necessary."

The official emphasized, "We cannot define that reason for them," adding, "South Korea must find a valid reason on its own."

During a visit to South Korea in November of last year, Admiral Caudle stated regarding South Korea's nuclear submarine initiative, "It is a natural prediction that those submarines would be utilized to deter China."

He also remarked, "It is entirely possible for South Korea to operate nuclear submarines in waters around its own country, and for us to operate alongside South Korean submarines in that environment."

These remarks from the U.S. Navy are interpreted to mean that for South Korea's acquisition of nuclear submarines to become a reality, discussions must follow regarding the necessity and role of participating in operations across broader Indo-Pacific waters beyond anti-North Korea deterrence missions around the Korean Peninsula.

Additionally, regarding the possibility that North Korea's submarine capabilities could be strengthened with Russian support, the official said, "It is concerning that Russia is helping North Korea," and noted, "If they possess a large number of submarines with substantial performance, it could become a significant force."

However, the official evaluated that North Korea's possession of submarines does not immediately translate to practical operational capabilities, stating, "We have not yet seen signs that would cause us serious concern."

Regarding South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation, the official praised South Korean shipbuilders as being at the "world-class level" and pointed out that the U.S. currently lacks the capacity to build and maintain vessels at the required speed.

It was also anticipated that South Korea's skilled workforce and systematic construction process know-how could contribute to strengthening the U.S. Navy's vessel construction and maintenance capabilities.

However, concerning the issue of repairing and maintaining U.S. Navy vessels at overseas shipyards outside the U.S., such as in South Korea or Japan, the official stated, "There are legal restrictions on what we can do outside the United States," and added, "Unless the law is amended, there will always be limitations."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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