The newly appointed commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said South Korea may acquire nuclear-powered submarines in the future amid increasing tension with neighboring North Korea.
In an interview with South Korean reporters on Thursday, Adm. Samuel Paparo said the possibility of introducing SSNs in the region depends on the result of its operational analysis.
“From the standpoint of submarine warfare, I think it’s important as allies and partners to find the most efficient and effective ways to combine our capabilities in ways that most effectively defend our alliances and partnerships,” he told the press.
Seoul has an existing agreement with the United States to restrict the use of nuclear materials in the military.
In response to North Korea’s missile threats, the U.S. deploys nuclear submarines to the Korean Peninsula to act as a deterrence and to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea common defense posture. In December, the USS Missouri arrived at Busan Naval Base, just a month after another warship, the USS Sta. Fe, visited a base on Jeju Island.
Paparo said that while the United States continues to pursue denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the two nations’ bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, formed in 2023 to enhance their combined deterrence and response posture, will look for a strategic way to deal with the issue. Papro assumed his top duties at Indopacom in May.