South Korea seeks IAEA consultation on nuclear submarine safeguards

South Korea has formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention to begin consultations on a safeguards arrangement for its planned nuclear-powered submarines. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced the notification during a Board of Governors meeting, stating that South Korea has reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA), and the Additional Protocol.

The consultations are being held pursuant to Article 14 of the CSA, which permits the use of nuclear material for non-nuclear military purposes, such as nuclear-powered naval propulsion, under an arrangement with the IAEA. South Korea aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, a project that gained momentum following security agreements between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in October of the previous year. Grossi expressed optimism that these consultations would proceed with transparency and alleviate proliferation concerns.