A US ally is getting nuclear-powered submarines with no AUKUS. Here's how
South Korea has announced plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, marking a significant shift in its defense strategy. The decision follows a long-standing aspiration and recent approval from the United States, which had previously been concerned about nuclear proliferation. Unlike Australia's AUKUS program, South Korea's initiative is not aimed at replacing aging submarines but is focused on enhancing its capabilities to deter threats from North Korea.
- ▪South Korea plans to build nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s, but details on the number and cost remain undisclosed.
- ▪The United States has agreed to support South Korea's submarine ambitions, breaking from previous administrations' concerns about nuclear proliferation.
- ▪South Korea's nuclear-powered submarines aim to enhance its defense against North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile capabilities.
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| Original publisher | ABC News (Australia) |
| Canonical URL | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-06/how-south-korea-submarine-plan-compares-to-aukus/106764594 |
| Publication time | Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:03:49 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-06-05T21:39:16.449Z |
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How South Korea's plan for nuclear-powered submarines compares to AUKUSBy Doug DingwallTopic:Foreign AffairsSat 6 Jun 2026 at 7:03amSat 6 Jun 2026 at 7:03amSat 6 Jun 2026 at 7:03amSouth Korea has diesel-electric submarines expected to last for decades, but it plans to acquire nuclear-powered vessels. (AFP: Seung-il Ryu/NurPhoto)abc.net.au/news/how-south-korea-submarine-plan-compares-to-aukus/106764594Link copiedShareShare articleThe South Korean city of Gyeongju is famous for its uncanny, grass-covered burial mounds bearing the tombs of ancient kings.It will also go down in history as the place where the United States finally agreed to South Korea's long-held aspirations to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting last year.Months…
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