South Korea’s Prime Minister, Kim Min-seok, has downplayed claims that a South Korean-owned shipyard in the United States could build a nuclear-powered submarine, saying the facility lacks the capacity for such an advanced project.
Kim made the disclosure on Thursday during a parliamentary hearing, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement on social media asserting that he had approved South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyard.
President Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that South Korea’s President, Lee Jae Myung, had sought U.S. approval for access to nuclear submarine fuel for vessels armed with conventional weapons.
Responding to a lawmaker’s inquiry, Kim said:
“At the moment, as far as I know, the Philly Shipyard does not have the capability.”
On Wednesday, South Korea’s Defence Minister, Ahn Gyu-back, also expressed reservations, noting that it would be more logical to construct such submarines domestically considering the country’s advanced shipbuilding expertise. He, however, clarified that the matter had not yet been formally discussed between Seoul and Washington.
South Korea is known for its world-leading shipbuilding industry, with giants such as Hanwha Ocean, which co-owns the Philadelphia Shipyard. The company declined to comment on the submarine issue.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, speaking at a joint press briefing with Minister Ahn on Tuesday, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting the project.
He said the U.S. government would collaborate with the State and Energy Departments “to fulfil President Trump’s commitment,” stressing that the administration wants its allies to remain strong.