South Korea aims to launch first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s

SEOUL, May 26 (Reuters) - ‌South ​Korea ​will seek to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s, ‌under a new programme aimed at ⁠countering North Korea's submarine-launched nuclear and missile ‌threats, Defence Minister Ahn ‌Gyu-back said on Tuesday.

The submarine will use low-enriched uranium fuel and be developed ​and built in South Korea, Ahn said, laying out South Korea's basic ⁠plan for securing nuclear-powered submarines.

Ahn said the programme would ​draw on South Korea's nuclear, shipbuilding and defence industries, while maintaining ​Seoul's commitment not to ‌acquire or develop nuclear weapons.

South Korea will work closely with ⁠the United States during the process of securing low-enriched uranium fuel to ensure non-proliferation ⁠and will also work with the International Atomic ​Energy Agency, Ahn said.

The plan aimed for the first vessel to be launched in the mid-2030s, ‌Ahn said.

Nuclear propulsion would give the new submarines the ability ‌to stay underwater far longer and ⁠ensure greater mobility ‌than existing South ​Korean submarines, the government has said.

(Reporting by Joyce LeeEditing by Ed ‌Davies)

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