"U.S. Working-Level Delegation to Visit Early Next Year"
Full-Fledged Consultations on Nuclear-Powered Submarines, Enrichment, and Reprocessing
In Response to U.S. Concerns: "President Lee's Commitment to Nonproliferation Conveyed... No Plans for Hi
National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak announced that he had met with his U.S. counterpart and reached an agreement that a separate agreement between South Korea and the United States is necessary for the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. He also stated that in-depth discussions were held with the U.S. side on the issues of uranium enrichment and reprocessing, and that talks were conducted on advancing the peace and coexistence process on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea-U.S. dialogue and inter-Korean dialogue. Advisor Wi visited the United States, Canada, and Japan in succession from December 16 to December 22, 2025.
On December 24, during a press briefing at the Chunchugwan briefing room at the Blue House, Advisor Wi commented on South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program, saying, “We exchanged views on issues in specific areas that require focused discussion, such as nuclear enrichment, reprocessing, and nuclear submarines.” He explained, “Both sides agreed that a separate agreement is necessary regarding nuclear-powered submarines and decided to move forward with this.” Advisor Wi held meetings with Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and other officials during his visit to the United States.
Advisor Wi further stated, “In-depth discussions were also held on the issues of uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing,” adding, “President Lee Jaemyung’s repeated emphasis on nuclear non-proliferation was conveyed to the U.S. side.” This was aimed at dispelling concerns raised in some quarters within the United States regarding the potential proliferation of nuclear weapons by South Korea.
In particular, Advisor Wi stressed that the nuclear fuel to be used in the nuclear-powered submarines would be limited to low-enriched uranium below 20%. He explained, “We are planning to use only low-enriched fuel and have no plans to introduce highly enriched fuel. Low-enriched fuel refers to uranium enriched to less than 20%.”
He announced that sector-specific consultations on nuclear-powered submarines, enrichment, and reprocessing will begin in earnest early next year. In addition, procedures to review progress during the consultation process will also be implemented. Advisor Wi stated, “At the earliest possible time early next year, a U.S. working-level delegation will visit South Korea, and both countries will hold concrete discussions on security issues included in the joint fact sheet.” He continued, “Milestones have also been set for reviewing progress at certain points in the middle and second half of next year. We agreed to pursue the consultations in a systematic and expeditious manner.”
Additionally, Advisor Wi shared assessments of the current situation in which dialogue with North Korea has been suspended, and discussed matters related to North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean dialogue. He explained, “Keeping in mind various diplomatic opportunities in the first half of next year, we discussed measures for North Korea-U.S. policy coordination to resume dialogue with North Korea.” He added, “We also exchanged comprehensive views on U.S.-China relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the situation in Northeast Asia.” After visiting Washington, D.C., Advisor Wi traveled to New York, where he met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed ways to strengthen South Korea-UN cooperation, including peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
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