Trump: South Korea has approval to build nuclear-powered submarine
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he has given approval for ally South Korea to build a nuclear powered submarine, a day after the two countries said they have reached a broad trade deal. "I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now," Trump said on Truth Social.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 01:48 | 30 October 2025
President Donald Trump wrote on social media on Thursday that he has given South Korea approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine and that it will take place in the United States, in comments made during his trip to Asia.
Trump, who has been meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and other regional leaders during his visit, also said Seoul had agreed to buy vast quantities of U.S. oil and gas.
Trump and Lee finalized details of a fraught trade deal at a summit in South Korea on Wednesday.
Lee had also been seeking U.S. permission for South Korea to reprocess nuclear fuel to power submarines that could track North Korean and Chinese vessels for longer periods.
Seoul is barred from reprocessing without U.S. consent, under a pact between the countries.
"I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
Trump said the submarine will be built in Philadelphia.