Key facts
- Grossi said Seoul pledged to work closely with the IAEA and uphold nonproliferation obligations, including for naval nuclear propulsion.
- South Korea's Jang Bogo N project aims to build nuclear-propelled, conventionally armed attack submarines domestically.
- The first submarine is to be launched in the mid-2030s and fielded after the late 2030s under an agreement with the United States.
- Seoul plans to procure small modular reactors directly for the vessel's propulsion system.
- South Korea secured U.S. consent to use high-assay, low-enriched uranium enriched below 20 percent.
- Grossi congratulated South Korea on hosting the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power last month.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi welcomed South Korea's commitment to upholding its nuclear nonproliferation obligations as the country pursues plans for nuclear-powered submarines, according to a Yonhap report published November 9.
Grossi made the remarks in a post on X following discussions with Jeong Yeon-doo, South Korean vice foreign minister for strategy and intelligence, on regional and global nuclear nonproliferation issues. Grossi wrote that he welcomed the Republic of Korea's strong commitment to working closely with the IAEA and upholding its non-proliferation obligations, including in the context of its plans for naval nuclear propulsion. He described the meeting with Jeong as an important exchange.
Grossi also congratulated South Korea on successfully hosting the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power last month and expressed appreciation for Seoul's continued support for the IAEA.
Seoul unveiled the Jang Bogo N project in May, aiming to domestically develop and build nuclear-propelled, conventionally armed attack submarines. The first vessel is to be launched in the mid-2030s and fielded after the late 2030s under an agreement with the United States. South Korea plans to directly procure small modular reactors for the vessel's propulsion system and has secured U.S. consent to build the submarines powered by high-assay, low-enriched uranium enriched to below 20 percent.