Korea wins US support to reprocess spent nuclear fuel, enrich uranium

President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that Korea has secured U.S. support for expanding Seoul's authority over uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. He described the development as a highly significant step forward as the nation seeks to build its first nuclear-powered submarine. "Korea and the United States have agreed to move forward with the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, a long-standing goal for Korea and a strategic asset deemed essential for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," he said during a televised briefing announcing the conclusion of a joint fact sheet between the two countries. "In addition, the two sides will explore institutional changes that would allow not only U.S. commercial vessels but even U.S. Navy ships to be built in Korea," he added, calling the move a foundation for both nations to strengthen their shipbuilding industries. The president did not immediately clarify whether Korea's nuclear-powered submarine would be built at a Korean shipyard or in the U.S. The joint fact sheet, which outlines bilateral agreements on tariffsWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times