Suggests role beyond North Korea deterrence, into Indo-Pacific operations

Calls Korean shipbuilders 'world-class,' expects cooperation on building, maintaining US ships

On Russia's help to North Korea's submarine fleet: 'Concerning, but no serious signs yet'

The headquarters building of the US Navy's Pacific Fleet at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii is pictured Wednesday (local time). [Yonhap]
The headquarters building of the US Navy's Pacific Fleet at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii is pictured Wednesday (local time). [Yonhap]

The US Navy said Wednesday (local time) that South Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines needs to be backed by a clear strategic purpose that goes beyond mere symbolism.

The remarks drew attention because South Korea has been pushing ahead with cooperation on building nuclear-powered submarines with the United States. This followed a summit between the two countries last year, and South Korea continues follow-up discussions with Washington.

A US Navy official spoke with reporters from South Korea and other Asia-Pacific countries at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii that day. Asked about South Korea's nuclear submarine plans, the official said, "South Korea needs to find valid reasons for why it should have nuclear submarines."

The official explained, "If South Korea is buying nuclear submarines just for the status symbol, that would be the wrong reason." "This is because it costs an enormous amount of money," the official added.

The official then cited a past remark by Adm. Daryl Caudle, the US Navy's chief of naval operations. Caudle had suggested that if South Korea never operates beyond nearby waters, nuclear submarines may not be necessary.

He went on to say, "We cannot decide that reason for them," and stressed that "South Korea needs to find a valid reason on its own."

Caudle, during a visit to South Korea in November last year, spoke about South Korea's nuclear submarine push. "It's a natural expectation to think that the submarine would be used to deter China," he said.

He also said, "It's entirely possible for South Korea to operate nuclear submarines in its own surrounding waters, and for us to operate alongside South Korean submarines in that environment."

The remarks from the US Navy suggest that South Korea's acquisition of nuclear submarines, if it is to become a reality, requires further discussion. That discussion should address the need for, and the role of, operations across the broader Indo-Pacific — not just deterrence missions against North Korea near the Korean Peninsula.

The official also addressed the possibility that North Korea's submarine capabilities could be strengthened with Russian support, saying, "It is concerning that Russia is helping North Korea." The official added, "If North Korea comes to possess a large number of submarines with considerable performance, that could become a considerable force."

However, he said North Korea's possession of submarines alone does not immediately translate into substantive operational capability. "We have not yet seen any signs serious enough for us to be seriously concerned," he added.

On US-South Korea shipbuilding cooperation, he called South Korean shipbuilders "world-class." He pointed out that the United States currently lacks the capacity to build and maintain ships at the pace now required.

He also expressed hope that South Korea's skilled workforce and systematic shipbuilding know-how could help strengthen the US Navy's capacity to build and maintain ships.

However, he addressed the issue of repairing and maintaining US Navy vessels at overseas shipyards outside the United States, such as in South Korea or Japan. "There are legal constraints on what we can do outside the United States," he said. He added, "There will always be limits unless the law is changed."


mokiya@heraldcorp.com