Seoul: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday that Washington will engage in interagency efforts to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarines for South Korea, following a pledge by U.S. President Donald Trump. The submarines are to be built in a U.S. shipyard owned by South Korea's Hanhwa Ocean.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hegseth made these remarks during a press conference after annual security talks with South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. The announcement follows a request from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Trump for assistance in securing nuclear fuel for the submarines, which was discussed during their recent summit. Trump had subsequently approved the initiative, emphasizing that nuclear-powered submarines are superior to "old-fashioned" diesel-powered ones.
Hegseth highlighted the cooperative efforts with the Department of State and the Department of Energy to honor President Trump's commitment. He underscored the importance of strengthening alliances, noting, "The president wants our allies to be strong. He wants our allies to have the best capabilities." He praised South Korea as a "model ally" and expressed openness to opportunities that enhance their defense capabilities.
While Hegseth did not go into specifics about the approval process, he praised South Korea's shipbuilding industry. He expressed optimism about future collaborations, mentioning the potential for partnerships in both surface warfare and submarine projects.
Addressing questions about the potential deployment of U.S. Forces Korea in the Taiwan Strait, Hegseth emphasized the importance of regional flexibility in contingencies, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to deterring North Korean threats. He reassured allies that the U.S. remains dedicated to ensuring North Korea does not pose a threat to South Korea.
Hegseth's visit to the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone with Seoul's defense chief was highlighted as a demonstration of the alliance's strength. The annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between Hegseth and Ahn marked their first since assuming office and focused on modernizing the alliance between the two nations.
In his opening remarks at the SCM, Hegseth remarked that the alliance is "stronger than ever" and called for increased defense cooperation. Details of their discussions are expected to be released in a joint communique.