Wi Seongrak: "Nuclear-Powered Submarine Will Be Built in Korea"

Remarks at the National Assembly Steering Committee Audit
"Philadelphia Naval Shipyard is not a realistic option"

Wi Seongrak, Director of the National Security Office, stated at the National Assembly's Steering Committee audit on November 6 that, regarding the discussion on building conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, "We intend to pursue a plan to build them in Korea."

Seongrak Wi, Director of the National Security Office, is reporting on duties at the National Assembly's Steering Committee meeting held on the 6th in Yeouido, Seoul, regarding the National Security Office, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Presidential Security Service. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Director Wi made this statement in response to a related question from Kang Sunyoung, a member of the People Power Party, on the same day. He explained, "Investing in submarine facilities at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the United States is not a realistic option," and added, "It is also not realistic to ask General Dynamics, an American company, to build our submarines."

When concerns were raised about excessive costs, he responded, "We are not pursuing American-style Virginia-class submarines, but rather affordable submarines that meet our needs," and emphasized, "We will pursue nuclear-powered submarines that offer high cost-effectiveness."

Meanwhile, when Yoo Sangbeom, another member of the People Power Party, asked about the government's position on the so-called 'two-state theory,' Director Wi replied, "The government's position is that inter-Korean relations are a provisional special relationship," and stated, "We do not agree with the two-state theory." In response to the question of whether Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung supports it, Director Wi answered, "Minister Jeong's views are not significantly different from the government's position."