Washington: National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac has met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for talks that likely centered on South Korea's push for civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing in line with recent summit agreements, sources said Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Wi and Wright met in Washington for discussions related to the joint fact sheet detailing the outcome of the two summits between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump on trade and security. The United States committed to supporting South Korea for "the process that will lead to its civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful uses." This also includes U.S. approval for and its commitment to advancing Seoul's drive for nuclear-powered submarines. The discussions likely focused on advancing these summit agreements, particularly Seoul's efforts to secure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities for civil purposes, as well as the development of strategic vessels.

Under a bilateral energy pact with the U.S., South Korea is permitted to enrich uranium to levels of up to 20 percent and to reprocess spent fuel, but only with U.S. consent, effectively barring it from carrying out those activities independently.

Regarding nuclear-powered submarines, South Korea is reportedly seeking a U.S. exception under Section 91 of the Atomic Energy Act, which allows the U.S. president to authorize the transfer of nuclear materials for military purposes. This is similar to a separate agreement Australia signed with the U.S. for its nuclear-powered submarine project under the AUKUS security partnership.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Washington on Tuesday, Wi Sung-lac expressed his intention to explore the possibility of establishing a separate bilateral deal to allow for such an exception.