South Korea accelerates nuclear submarine construction project

South Korea has moved up the timeline for its domestic nuclear-powered submarine project, aiming to launch construction in 2027. The government waived a standard one to two year feasibility study, citing the high level of security required for the project under the Defense Acquisition Program Act.

The Jang Bogo N project, also known as KSS-III Batch-III, intends to produce the first vessel in the mid-2030s with deployment expected in the latter half of that decade. The government reportedly plans to build three 8,000-ton class vessels. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to select a contractor through competitive bidding among domestic shipbuilders by the end of 2027.

While the project is advancing domestically, former US special representative Joseph Yun noted that progress on nuclear-powered submarines could face challenges during the remainder of the Trump administration. Implementation requires further consultations between South Korea and the US regarding nuclear fuel supply and legal procedures. Additionally, analysts have raised concerns regarding nuclear proliferation related to reprocessing rights.