From nuclear submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks
The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week
US approval on the use of nuclear fuel for South Korea’s submarines is a key goal for Lee, while Washington wants Seoul’s US$350 billion investment promise it previously made in return for a lower tariff rate to be high up on the agenda, according to analysts.
South Korea was planning to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine by the middle of the 2030s, officials said on Tuesday. It is reportedly looking to build submarines with a displacement of 8,000 tonnes, similar to the US Virginia-class submarines.
The US also wants South Korea to play a more active role in countering China’s growing influence as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy.
The two sides also remain far apart on whether South Korea could deter North Korea on its own, a prerequisite for it to take full wartime operational control (OPCON) for its military from the South Korea-US Joint Forces Command, currently led by a US four-star general who oversees 28,500 American and South Korean troops.