Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung announced on Wednesday that securing U.S. consent for nuclear-powered submarines was the most significant achievement of his recent summit discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. Lee emphasized his preference for constructing these submarines in South Korea, citing economic and security benefits.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed the strategic importance of this development during a press conference with international media. He acknowledged President Trump's suggestion of building the submarines at the Philadelphia shipyard but highlighted the challenges and benefits of domestic production.
Lee clarified that South Korea remains committed to its nonproliferation obligations, dismissing concerns that the pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines would threaten the international nonproliferation regime. He asserted that these submarines do not equate to nuclear weapons and emphasized the ongoing commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Regarding dialogue with North Korea, Lee stressed the importance of resuming talks between Washington and Pyongyang, suggesting that the U.S. plays a pivotal role in providing security guarantees to North Korea. He mentioned potential strategic leverages, such as reducing joint military exercises with the U.S., to facilitate dialogue.
Lee also addressed the issue of anti-Pyongyang leaflets, stating that while he considered apologizing for actions taken by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's government, he refrained to avoid domestic ideological clashes.
The press event coincided with the anniversary of the failed martial law imposition by Yoon's administration. Lee also touched on tensions between China and Japan, advocating for South Korea to act as a mediator without taking sides, and stressed the importance of pursuing bilateral cooperation with Japan despite historical issues.
Additionally, Lee noted Russia's limited role in persuading North Korea to engage in dialogue due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.