Seoul and Washington to advance nuclear talks together

Dec 22, 2025, 08:51 am

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Wi Sung-lac, director of South Korea’s National Security Office, shakes hands with UN Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of their meeting in New York on Dec. 18. According to UN Headquarters, Wi met Guterres at 2:45 p.m. the previous day to discuss strengthening cooperation between the UN and South Korea and issues related to peace on the Korean Peninsula. / UN Headquarters

South Korea and the United States have agreed to launch simultaneous consultations next year on the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine, uranium enrichment, and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, according to Wi Sung-lac, director of the presidential National Security Office.

Wi said the two sides reached the agreement during high-level talks held in the United States on Dec. 16–17, aimed at implementing commitments made by the leaders of both countries. Those commitments were outlined in a joint fact sheet released on Nov. 14.

“We have reached an understanding on the overall schedule for how to proceed with consultations as part of implementing the outcomes of the summit between our leaders,” Wi said on Dec. 20.

Regarding priorities, Wi stressed that discussions on uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, and nuclear-powered submarine construction would all be launched at the same time early next year.

On the submarine project in particular, Wi said Seoul and Washington have agreed to conclude a separate agreement. This would be based on Section 91 of the US Atomic Energy Act, which allows the US president to authorize the transfer of military nuclear materials. The aim is to avoid restrictions under the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement that otherwise limit the transfer of weapons-grade nuclear materials.

Ahead of his trip to the United States, Wi had pointed to Australia’s case, where Washington granted an exception under the same provision of US law. “Following Australia’s example would require a separate bilateral agreement,” he said at the time, adding that South Korea would explore that possibility. Wi also noted that cooperation with Washington is progressing smoothly, saying the United States has described the South Korea–US alliance as a “model alliance.”

According to the joint fact sheet, the United States agreed to support South Korea’s uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing procedures, provided they are consistent with the bilateral nuclear agreement and US legal requirements. Washington also approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine and agreed to closely consult on issues such as fuel procurement to advance the project.

In preparation, the National Security Office has already set up three task forces covering enriched uranium, nuclear-powered submarines, and defense budget increases.

After completing a two-night, three-day visit to the United States, Wi is scheduled to travel to Canada and then to Japan on Dec. 22. In Tokyo, he is expected to hold preliminary consultations ahead of a South Korea–Japan summit anticipated for mid-January.

#South Korea–US alliance #nuclear-powered submarine #uranium enrichment #spent fuel reprocessing #joint fact sheet