Bangkok: Nuclear submarine cooperation between South Korea and the United States is a strategic yet complex process that requires patience, according to a prominent U.S. nonproliferation expert. Eliot Kang, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation, highlighted the intricacies involved while speaking at a press conference during the Jeju Forum.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang emphasized that while civil nuclear cooperation could fortify the alliance and enhance energy relations between the two nations, the path forward is fraught with challenges. He pointed out the necessity of revising the existing civil nuclear cooperation agreement and negotiating a separate agreement for military use of U.S.-supplied nuclear fuel. Additionally, U.S. congressional approval is a crucial requirement, complicating the process further.
Kang remarked, "This is not simply a political will of a particular administration that could say, 'make this thing happen.'" He noted that the upcoming U.S. midterm elections in November could result in a Congress with a different political makeup, necessitating cautious and strategic planning.
He also advised against using the AUKUS security partnership as a benchmark for Seoul-Washington cooperation. AUKUS, which includes the U.S., Britain, and Australia, enabled Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines using U.S. technology due to its lack of experience in civil nuclear technology. Kang stated that the situation with South Korea is not directly comparable.
Public discourse in South Korea advocating for the development of its own nuclear weapons adds another layer of complexity to the cooperation efforts. Kang warned that such sentiments could complicate negotiations and emphasized the need for careful, precise, and patient messaging in the discussions.
Kang concluded by stressing that the submarine initiative should be viewed as a means to reinforce the bilateral alliance and expand civil nuclear cooperation, benefiting both countries strategically and commercially. The focus, he noted, should be on enhancing the broader relationship and the strategic position of both nations' civil nuclear industries.