OPINION | Why South Korea wanted a submarine deal with the US—and what it may mean for Australia

If Seoul presses ahead and constructs nuclear submarines in South Korea, it is likely to do so faster than Australia can, since it has a headstart in nuclear engineering, a greater supply of science and technology graduates, a much bigger defence industry and an active submarine construction base. Imagine Australia’s embarrassment if South Korea’s SSNs are in the water before any from Adelaide.

Meanwhile, Japan is likely to harbour significant reservations about South Korea acquiring nuclear propulsion for military purposes. Tokyo is probably masking its misgivings, to avoid a clash with Seoul as South Korea hosts APEC.

Privately, it will be extremely concerned and probably regards the deal as an unfriendly act by the Trump administration that undermines regional nuclear non-proliferation norms. For now, however, there is also very little Japan can do about it, other than to weigh its own options.

Article reprinted with permission from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's analysis and commentary site The Strategist.