Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump held a summit meeting on the sidelines of the APEC 2025 Korea in Gyeongju, on Oct. 29, 2025. At the meeing the two leaders agreed to hold “follow-up discussions” on supplying nuclear fuel required for South Korea’s introduction of nuclear-powered submarines during their summit. President Trump expressed understanding that South Korea needs nuclear-powered submarines amid changing circumstances such as North Korea’s construction of nuclear submarines. He said, “A key outcome was confirming the U.S. side’s active willingness to cooperate on modernizing the alliance during the 87-minute luncheon summit.”(PHOTO: Presidential Office)
Nuclear-powered attack submarine building has been approved by the United States, at a bilateral summit of Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the APEC 2025 Korea in Gyeongju, on Oct. 29.
The two leaders agreed to hold “follow-up discussions” on supplying nuclear fuel required for South Korea’s introduction of nuclear-powered submarines during their summit on the 29th. Attention is focused on whether negotiations to revise the ‘South Korea–U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement’—aimed at securing South Korea’s rights to uranium enrichment and reprocessing spent nuclear fuel—will commence soon.
President Trump expressed understanding that South Korea needs nuclear-powered submarines amid changing circumstances such as North Korea’s construction of nuclear submarines. He said, “A key outcome was confirming the U.S. side’s active willingness to cooperate on modernizing the alliance during the 87-minute luncheon summit.”
In his opening remarks at the summit, President Lee stated, “Diesel submarines have limited submerged capabilities, restricting tracking activities against North Korean or Chinese submarines. It would be ideal if President Trump could make a decisive decision to allow us to secure fuel for nuclear-powered submarines.” President Trump expressed understanding during the subsequent closed-door meeting.
President Lee also explained South Korea’s commitment to denuclearization through “suspension, reduction, and dismantlement” to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. President Trump said, “The security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia is significantly threatened by North Korea’s nuclear development, and the South Korea–U.S. alliance needs to enhance its deterrence.”
Through his account on the social media platform Truth Social, President Trump said, “Our military alliance is stronger than ever before and, based on that, 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 praised South Korea’s active role in the alliance and shared understanding of need for nuclear-powered submarines because North Korea is building them and agreed to further discussions.
The two governments released a joint fact sheet on President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with President Lee Jae Myung on November 13.
The summit between Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump marks the first time in Korean history that a State Visit has been hosted in Gyeongju and follows on the two leaders’ first meeting in Washington on August 25. Notably, it is also the first time that the ROK has welcomed the same leader for a second state visit.
In light of President Trump’s historic 2024 victory and President Lee’s election demonstrating the ROK’s democratic strength and resilience, they declared a new chapter in the U.S.-ROK Alliance, the linchpin for peace, security and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.
To rebuilding & expanding critical industries, President Trump and President Lee reaffirmed the announcement in July of The Korea Strategic Trade and Investment deal, which reflects the strength and endurance of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.
They agreed Korean investments in various sectors to advance economic and national security interests, including but not limited to shipbuilding, energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence/quantum computing. This deal includes $150 billion of Korean investment in the shipbuilding sector approved by U.S., which is referred to as the Approved Investments. This deal also includes $200 billion of additional Korean investment committed pursuant to the MOU with respect to Strategic Investments.
The United States will apply the higher of either the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (“KORUS FTA”) or U.S. Most Favored Nation (“MFN”) tariff rate, as applicable, or a tariff rate of 15% on originating goods of the ROK, for purposes of the reciprocal tariff provided under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended.
U.S. will reduce its Section 232 sectoral tariffs on automobiles, auto parts, timber, lumber, and wood derivatives of the ROK to 15%. For such products of the ROK with a KORUS FTA or MFN tariff rate, as applicable, equal to or greater than 15%, no additional Section 232 tariff shall apply. For such products of the ROK with a KORUS FTA or MFN tariff, as applicable, less than 15%, the sum of the KORUS FTA or MFN tariff and the additional Section 232 tariff shall be 15%.
For any Section 232 tariffs imposed on pharmaceuticals, U.S. intends to apply to originating goods of the ROK a Section 232 tariff rate no greater than 15%.
For any Section 232 tariffs imposed on semiconductors (including semiconductor manufacturing equipment), U.S. intends to provide terms for such Section 232 tariffs on Korea that are no less favorable than terms that may be offered in a future agreement covering a volume of semiconductor trade at least as large as Korea’s, as determined by U.S.
U.S. intends to remove supplemental tariffs imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended for certain products identified on the list of Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners, such as generic pharmaceuticals, generic pharmaceutical ingredients, generic pharmaceutical chemical precursors, and certain natural resources unavailable in U.S. The United States will remove tariffs on certain aircraft and parts of the ROK from the tariffs imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14257, as amended, by Proclamation 9704, as amended, Proclamation 9705, as amended, and Proclamation 10962.
For foreign exchange market stability, U.S. and the ROK, in connection with their respective commitments included in the MOU, have thoroughly discussed the potential impact of the MOU on the foreign exchange market stability of the ROK. They have reached a mutual understanding that commitments in the MOU shall not be allowed to give rise to market instability. The two nations agree that the ROK shall not be required to fund an aggregate amount of U.S. dollars greater than $20 billion in any calendar year. The ROK will use its best efforts, to the greatest extent possible, to source the U.S. dollars through means other than market purchases so as to minimize any potential impact on the market. Should it appear that the fulfillment of the commitments in the MOU may cause market instability, such as disorderly movements of Korean won, the ROK may request an adjustment in the amount and timing of the funding, and U.S. will, in good faith, give due consideration to such request.
The two leaders agreed a series of commercial commitments in strategic sectors, reflecting the confidence of the private sector in the strong bilateral economic partnership. They also agreed the announcement in August by ROK companies of foreign direct investments in U.S. totaling $150 billion during President Trump’s term. Both countries will use their best efforts to facilitate these investments.
The two leaders agreed the announcement by Korean Air in August of a purchase order of 103 Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. The Boeing commitment is valued at U.S. $36 billion and will include a mix of Boeing 737 MAX jets, 787 Dreamliners, and 777X passenger and freighters, bringing KAL’s total order in 2025 to more than 150 Boeing airplanes.
The U.S. and the ROK agree the Buy America in Seoul initiative, whereby the ROK, in collaboration with the State Governments, will organize an annual exhibition featuring U.S. companies, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, to promote the export of U.S. goods into Korea.
To promote reciprocal trade, the two leaders recognized that the recently announced deal reflects a common goal to increase mutually beneficial trade and investment. U.S. and the ROK will address non-tariff barriers and memorialize commitments and a plan of action to promote reciprocal trade, to be adopted by the KORUS Joint Committee before the end of the year. This will include but not be limited to the following:
The ROK will eliminate the 50,000-unit cap on U.S.-originating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)-compliant vehicles that can enter the ROK without further modifications. The ROK will also reduce regulatory burdens for U.S. automotive exports by not requiring additional documentation in its emissions certification process other than those submitted to U.S. certification authorities.
The ROK will work together with U.S. to address non-tariff barriers affecting trade in food and agricultural products, including by: ensuring that existing commitments under bilateral agreements and protocols are met; streamlining the regulatory approval process for agricultural biotechnology products and resolving the backlog of U.S. applications; establishing a U.S. Desk dedicated to requests for U.S. horticultural products; and preserving market access for U.S. meats and cheeses that use certain terms.
U.S. and the ROK commit to ensure that U.S. companies are not discriminated against and do not face unnecessary barriers in terms of laws and policies concerning digital services, including network usage fees and online platform regulations, and to facilitate cross-border transfer of data, including for location, reinsurance, and personal data. Further, U.S. and the ROK will support the permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization.
The ROK commits to provide additional procedural fairness provisions in competition proceedings, including the recognition of attorney-client privilege.
U.S. and the ROK will work together to protect intellectual property rights. The ROK will continue to take the necessary steps to accede to the Patent Law Treaty.
U.S. and the ROK commit to work together to ensure strong protection of internationally-recognized labor rights. U.S. and the ROK will work together to combat all forms of forced labor globally, including by combatting the importation of goods made with forced labor.
U.S. and the ROK reaffirm the importance of ensuring differences in environmental protection do not distort trade and investment. To this end, the ROK will effectively enforce its environmental laws to facilitate reciprocal trade, including by fully implementing the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
To protect economic prosperity, the two leaders acknowledged the need to strengthen economic and national security alignment in order to preserve our competitiveness and maintain secure supply chains. This includes cooperation to combat duty evasion and taking complementary actions to address unfair and non-market policies and practices, enhancing inbound investment and outbound investment regulations, and both countries will ensure that international procurement obligations provide a benefit to those countries that have taken on the same commitments.
For modernizing U.S.-ROK alliance, U.S. underscored its commitment to the defense of the ROK through the enduring presence of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
U.S. reaffirmed its pledge to provide extended deterrence, leveraging the full range of its capabilities, including nuclear. The two leaders committed to strengthening cooperation through consultation mechanisms including the Nuclear Consultative Group.
President Lee shared the ROK’s plan to increase its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP as soon as possible in accordance with ROK legal requirements, which President Trump welcomed.
The ROK also committed to spending $25 billion on U.S. military equipment purchases by 2030, and shared its plan to provide comprehensive support for U.S. Forces Korea amounting to $33 billion in accordance with ROK legal requirements.
The two leaders committed to continue alliance cooperation toward the transition of wartime operational control. With the support of U.S., the ROK pledged to accelerate efforts to strengthen its military capabilities necessary to lead the combined conventional defense against North Korea. These include acquisition of advanced U.S. weapons systems and expansion of bilateral defense industrial cooperation, including in high-tech weapons systems.
U.S. and the ROK will enhance U.S. conventional deterrence posture against all regional threats to the Alliance, including the DPRK. The two sides affirm relevant understandings since 2006. Both sides will continue close consultation and report the progress on implementation to their leadership. Both pledged to expand cooperation in cyberspace and outer space. The two leaders also reaffirmed their intention to continue working together on AI in the military domain.
For coordinating on Korean Peninsuka and regional issuesa, President Lee and President Trump committed to peace, security, and prosperity both on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region. They reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the DPRK and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and pledged to work together to implement the Joint Statement of the 2018 U.S.-DPRK Singapore Summit.
Both leaders agreed to coordinate closely on DPRK policy and called on the DPRK to return to meaningful dialogue and abide by its international obligations, including by abandoning its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs.
The two leaders committed to strengthen the trilateral partnership with Japan.
They reaffirmed efforts to uphold freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea, and the maritime claims of all nations should comply with the international law of the sea.
They emphasized the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and opposed unilateral changes to the status quo.
In furthering maritime and nuclear partnership, U.S. welcomed the ROK’s commitment to contribute to modernizing and expanding the capacity of American shipbuilding industries, including through investments in U.S. shipyards and America’s workforce. The ROK welcomed U.S.’ support for the ROK’s civil and naval nuclear power programs.
Both countries committed to collaborate further through a shipbuilding working group, including on maintenance, repair, and overhaul, workforce development, shipyard modernization, and supply chain resilience.
These initiatives will increase the number of U.S. commercial ships and combat-ready U.S. military vessels as quickly as possible, including the potential construction of U.S. vessels in the ROK.
Consistent with the bilateral 123 agreement and subject to U.S. legal requirements, U.S. supports the process that will lead to the ROK’s civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful uses.
U.S. has given approval for the ROK to build nuclear-powered attack submarines. U.S. will work closely with the ROK to advance requirements for this shipbuilding project, including avenues to source fuel.★
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