(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, Oct 30 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump said Thursday he has granted approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Trump wrote the message on his Truth Social account a day after he and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed on the need for Seoul to secure fuel for nuclear-powered submarines during their summit held on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events.
"I have given them approval to build a nuclear powered submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered submarines that they have now," Trump wrote. The approval was granted on the grounds that the US-South Korea military alliance is "stronger than ever before," the US president said.
Trump arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for a two-day trip. South Korea's nuclear fuel processing is regulated under a nuclear energy pact with Washington, which currently allows Seoul to enrich uranium below 20 percent with US consent.
During talks with Trump the previous day, Lee said diesel-powered submarines have limited underwater navigation capabilities, restricting the South Korean military's ability to track North Korean or Chinese submarines, as he requested US approval to secure fuel for nuclear-powered submarines.
The South Korean presidential office on Thursday welcomed Trump's decision, vowing to closely cooperate with the US throughout the process.
"The decision will help bolster our defense capabilities and greatly enhance our military's role in defending the Republic of Korea (South Korea)," presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-jun said in a press briefing. (end)
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