Trump Grants South Korea Approval for Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction in US Shipyards

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump met in Gyeongju for discussions on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has granted approval for South Korea to construct a nuclear-powered submarine, following a day after both nations confirmed reaching a comprehensive trade agreement.

The meeting between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took place Wednesday in the southern city of Gyeongju, where Trump had arrived to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum summit.

On Wednesday, an aide to the South Korean president revealed that the two countries had achieved a broad agreement covering investment and shipbuilding sectors, while Trump indicated that the deal was "pretty much" completed.

"I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now," Trump stated on his Truth Social platform Thursday.

In another post, Trump elaborated: "South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol' U.S.A."

He added, "Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK."

During their Wednesday meeting, President Lee requested Trump to "make a decision to allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-propelled submarines."

Lee clarified to Trump, "We are not proposing to build submarines armed with nuclear weapons; rather, diesel submarines have inferior submerged endurance, which limits our ability to track North Korean or Chinese submarines."

According to the South Korean presidential office, the dessert served at a luncheon for Trump featured the word "PEACE!", echoing the commitment from their first meeting where both leaders pledged to act as a "peacemaker" and a "pacemaker" for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea remain elevated as Pyongyang has dismissed Lee's diplomatic overtures while continuing to strengthen military and economic ties with Russia.

Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that he was unable to arrange a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to South Korea, ending widespread speculation about a potential summit after years of diplomatic stalemate.