South Korea has officially unveiled a plan to develop its first nuclear-powered submarine, in a move considered historic for the country’s military capabilities.
According to information from Reuters, the South Korean government intends to launch the vessel in the mid-2030s and place it into operation before 2040.
The project, called “Jangbogo-N”, was presented by South Korea’s Ministry of Defense as part of an effort to strengthen deterrence capabilities against North Korea and expand the Navy’s operational reach into more distant waters.
According to local authorities, the submarines will use low-enriched uranium with a level below 20% in an attempt to keep the program aligned with international nuclear non-proliferation rules. The government emphasized that the vessels will not carry nuclear weapons and will be developed using domestic shipbuilding and reactor technology.
Nuclear propulsion would allow the submarines to remain submerged for much longer periods than South Korea’s current diesel-electric models, while also offering greater speed and mobility. Analysts say this would give the country a far more effective capability to track North Korean submarines armed with ballistic missiles.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions in the region. In recent weeks, North Korea has unveiled new naval weapons and strengthened its submarine and sea-launched missile programs.
South Korea already possesses one of the world’s most advanced shipbuilding industries, led by companies such as Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which are responsible for producing the current KSS-III-class submarines.
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Photo: X @ROK_MND. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
