world-economy

South Korea Targets Late-2030s Deployment of Domestically Built Nuclear Submarine

South Korea announced plans Tuesday to develop and deploy its first nuclear-powered submarine by the late 2030s as part of military modernization efforts. President Lee Jae Myung established a new defense strategy council to reduce reliance on foreign defense capabilities. The initiative underscores Seoul's commitment to expanding indigenous shipbuilding capacity for advanced naval platforms. The announcement comes as the United States and South Korea formalize cooperation agreements on shipbuilding investment and development. Seoul's submarine program reflects regional security considerations and supports defense industrial expansion. The project represents a significant capability advancement for the South Korean Navy and demonstrates the nation's growing technological autonomy in maritime defense systems.