Doubts surface over Trump’s South Korea nuclear submarine plan: ‘what’s the catch?’
Construction of the US-built submarines is likely to run into cost and feasibility issues and nuclear proliferation worries, experts say
Analysts said the announcement, while politically dramatic, left unresolved questions about feasibility, cost and the potential for nuclear proliferation.
“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 wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol’ USA. Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK. Stay tuned!!!”
Hanwha Group, which acquired the Philly Shipyard last year for US$100 million, has announced a US$5 billion infrastructure plan as part of South Korea’s commitment to supporting the growth of the US shipbuilding industry through a US$150 billion investment fund.
However, South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Kyu-baek has expressed reservations about Trump’s claim that Seoul’s nuclear-powered submarines would be built in the US.