Prime Minister Kim Min-seok stated on Thursday during a parliamentary session that the Philly Shipyard, owned by South Korea in the US, currently lacks the capability to construct a nuclear-powered submarine.
This statement follows US President Donald Trump’s recent social media claim that he had approved South Korea’s construction of a nuclear-powered submarine at the Philadelphia shipyard.
The comment was shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform after South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung requested at a summit that the US, its ally, allow the country to acquire fuel for nuclear-powered submarines with conventional armaments.
Kim clarified, “As far as I know, the Philly Shipyard does not possess the current capability,” when questioned by a lawmaker about the feasibility of building nuclear submarines there.
South Korea’s Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back mentioned in a parliamentary session on Wednesday that constructing the submarines domestically would be “rational” due to South Korea’s advanced shipbuilding expertise, though the topic had yet to be deliberated between the nations.
South Korea is home to some of the top shipbuilders globally, including Hanwha Ocean, which, along with an affiliate, owns the Philly shipyard.
Hanwha Ocean chose not to comment on the matter.
At a joint press conference with Ahn on Tuesday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Trump administration will collaborate closely with the Departments of State and Energy to honor Trump’s commitment regarding the submarines, emphasizing the president’s desire for strong allies.
