Amid intensifying geopolitical competition and evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, the ROK–U.S. alliance stands at a critical juncture. Confronted with ever-increasing North Korea’s conventional and nuclear threats, the alliance needs to constantly upgrade its defense posture and deterrence capability.
Recently an initiative to build a Korean nuclear-powered submarine has been put forward to counter North Korea’s nuclear capability and achieve more equitable burden sharing. For the project to turn into reality successfully, there are concerns to be addressed regarding its impact on global non-proliferation regime and regional security landscape. Along with this, recently Korea-US civilian nuclear cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of the alliance.
As the world’s leading nuclear industry powerhouses, the two countries are now jointly seeking to enhance competitiveness in their nuclear industries and strengthen collaboration in nuclear power plant exports. The efforts would require a review and an update of the existing cooperative regime related to nuclear fuel supply and spent fuel reprocessing.