"Does South Korea Want to Become a Major Power?... No Need for Nuclear Submarines," Says Chinese State Media

"Concerns Over Undermining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty"
"Nuclear Arms Race Threatens Peace and Stability"

Donald Trump, President of the United States, is delivering a special keynote speech at the "2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit (APEC CEO SUMMIT)" held on October 29 at the Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongbuk. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Regarding South Korea's efforts to build a nuclear-powered submarine through negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese state media has pointed out that "the risk of nuclear technology leakage and accidents could increase."

On December 22 (local time), China's state-run Global Times, citing an interview with military expert Song Zhongping, warned that the South Korea-U.S. nuclear submarine development program would significantly heighten the risk of nuclear proliferation. He stated, "The United States has already set a negative precedent with the AUKUS nuclear submarine development program with Australia, and now a similar case is emerging in South Korea." He added, "The U.S. allowing its allies to use nuclear technology and nuclear fuel will inevitably undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)."

He further noted that as Japan is also actively pursuing plans to possess nuclear submarines, the arms race for nuclear submarines could intensify. Song Zhongping pointed out, "The more countries possess nuclear submarines, the greater the risk of nuclear technology leakage and nuclear accidents. Although South Korea is a maritime nation, its coastline is limited, so there is no need for it to operate nuclear submarines."

He concluded by saying, "Isn't South Korea trying to threaten the interests of other countries and elevate itself to a so-called major power by using nuclear submarines?" He emphasized, "A nuclear arms race will only undermine peace and stability."

Previously, President Lee Jaemyung, during the South Korea-U.S. summit held in Gyeongju last October, mentioned to President Trump the limitations of diesel submarines' underwater endurance and requested that if the U.S. allowed the supply of fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, it would help conventional submarines track North Korea and China.