South Korea has announced plans to proceed with the development of nuclear-powered submarines. This is the first time that Seoul has publicly provided details of its nuclear-powered submarine programme.

The South Korean Defence Ministry announced its "Basic Plan for the Development of Nuclear-Powered Submarines," on 26 May, 2026 with the goal of launching the first vessel in the mid-2030s. The programme will cover more than four decades, with approximately 10 years for the construction of the first submarine and 30 years of operational service.

The programme has been designated "JANG BOGO N Project", named after the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) JANG BOGO conventional submarine force.

The future nuclear submarine fleet will play a core role in responding to North Korea's submarine-launched nuclear and missile threats. A nuclear submarine will provide the (ROKN) with substantially enhanced operational capabilities due to their long-term submerged endurance and high mobility.

In May 2026, South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back met members of the visiting US Senate Armed Services Committee officials to seek their support for the programme. South Korean officials argued that the introduction of a nuclear-powered submarine would contribute to the advancement of joint ROK-US security interests and serve as an important milestone in elevating the ROK-US Alliance.

Seoul has also indicated that it intends to work closely with the United States to secure low-enriched uranium fuel for the submarines. The nuclear submarine programme is expected to create over 40,000 jobs in South Korea. 

South Korea is presently pursuing a Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), estimated to be worth 60 trillion KRW, with the announcement of the preferred bidder scheduled for the end of June. Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (Hanwha) are the final two bidders for the project to acquire up to 12 submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy.