South Korea has formally launched a long-term program to develop and build indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines, setting a target to launch a first vessel in the mid-2030s and bring it into operational service in the second half of that decade. The Ministry of National Defense has published a “Basic Plan for the Development of Nuclear Submarines for the Republic of Korea,” framing the effort as a national strategy project.
Codenamed “Jang Bogo N Project,” the program calls for design and construction in South Korean shipyards using domestic naval, nuclear and defense technologies, including a small onboard reactor and energy conversion system. The submarines will use low-enriched uranium fuel for propulsion and are explicitly not intended to carry nuclear weapons, with Seoul reaffirming its non-proliferation commitments and cooperation with the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Strategically, the nuclear-powered submarines are intended to strengthen an underwater kill chain against North Korea by enabling persistent, stealthy surveillance and, if required, rapid conventional responses before missile launches. The government projects around 40,000 jobs across shipbuilding, nuclear and defense industries, with each submarine expected to serve for about 30 years. Key parameters, including the eventual fleet size, detailed budget, industrial milestones and precise fuel-supply arrangements with the United States, have not yet been disclosed.