Asia Geopolitics Don’t Call it a Deal Just Yet: South Korea to Pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines
Nov 20, 2025
The discussion revolves around South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines amid a cloud of uncertainty regarding U.S. approval. The hosts explore South Korea's desire for strategic autonomy and its implications for regional security. They analyze the limited military need versus the risks of nuclear proliferation and compare South Korea's need for submarines with Australia’s. Additionally, they delve into the potential impact on U.S.-ROK relations and what future indicators will reveal about the actual agreement.
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Prestige Over Clear Military Need
- South Korea's drive for nuclear-powered submarines is driven more by prestige and strategic autonomy than clear military necessity.
- Ankit Panda argues the capability offers limited utility against North Korea and carries high costs and opportunity costs.
Nuclear Latency Is A Hidden Risk
- Pursuing naval reactors can create nuclear latency by developing domestic enrichment or reprocessing capacities.
- Panda warns this raises nonproliferation concerns even if Seoul does not overtly seek nuclear weapons.
Endurance And Range Vs. Regional Needs
- Nuclear propulsion gives submarines much greater endurance, speed, and range than diesel-electric boats.
- Ankit Panda notes those benefits matter more for distant operations than for South Korea's primarily North Korea-focused defense needs.