Vienna: South Korea's planned nuclear-powered submarine program should not raise proliferation concerns, as long as a solid and specific safeguards arrangement is established with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. Speaking at a press conference, Grossi emphasized that discussions between Seoul and the IAEA have already commenced, although they are in the preliminary stages due to the lack of specific details concerning the submarine program.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the IAEA Director General highlighted that for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines, it must notify the IAEA, necessitating a special arrangement with the agency. Grossi described the process as highly technical, involving coordination between IAEA safeguards experts and their Korean counterparts to determine necessary measures.
Grossi's statements come amidst South Korea's efforts to develop conventionally armed, nuclear-propelled submarines, following security agreements made during a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in October. Grossi reassured that with a robust agreement with the IAEA, there should be no proliferation concerns linked to Seoul's proposed submarine program.
A key technical challenge identified by Grossi is ensuring accountability for nuclear material loaded into submarines, which can operate submerged for prolonged periods away from routine inspections. He emphasized the importance of technical solutions to ensure the same amount of uranium returns to the harbor as was initially loaded, underscoring the complexity and duration of ensuring non-proliferation.
Grossi also noted that discussions with Seoul remain at a preliminary stage, with South Korea yet to finalize decisions regarding the technology or operational modalities for the project. The specifics will depend on factors such as the type of submarines, their design, fuel type, and onshore infrastructure.
According to the road map announced by Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, the envisioned submarines will utilize low-enriched uranium, enriched to less than 20 percent, as fuel. This contrasts with nuclear weapons, which typically require uranium enriched to over 90 percent. South Korea aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, with plans to achieve operational service by 2040.
Following the October summit, Seoul and Washington issued a joint fact sheet, with the U.S. pledging support for processes leading to Seoul's nuclear-propelled submarine construction, uranium enrichment, and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing for civilian purposes. Despite earlier delays, the two nations initiated talks last week to discuss the implementation of these security initiatives.