South Korea to write nuclear nonproliferation into submarine law

South Korea's Defense Ministry is moving to legally bar the diversion of nuclear fuel intended for submarines to weapons development. This legislative initiative appears to be a direct response to international proliferation concerns surrounding the nation's burgeoning nuclear-powered submarine program.

The ministry intends to issue a legislative notice for the proposed bill as early as July 29. Officials state the legislation aims to establish a "legal and institutional foundation" for the stable implementation of the nuclear-powered submarine program. The core of the proposed special act is to explicitly prohibit the use of nuclear material for the development, manufacture, or possession of nuclear weapons, marking a first for South Korean statute.

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The ministry is establishing the legal and institutional foundation needed to ensure the stable implementation of the nuclear-powered submarine programme.

This nonproliferation pledge follows the government's May announcement of the Jangbogo-N project, a plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The legislation would also mandate compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and require cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. While the government asserts planned submarines will be conventionally armed, the legislation seeks to preempt any potential for an independent nuclear weapons program.

Beyond nonproliferation, the bill also proposes more flexible cost calculations for defense contracts, allowing revisions to prices and deadlines if the project faces delays, particularly in securing nuclear fuel. A special committee chaired by the prime minister would oversee the program, with the defense minister as vice-chair. Sources indicate South Korea aims to develop three nuclear-powered submarines, with the first vessel targeted for launch in the mid-2030s.

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The proposed special act is part of that effort.