Since 2015 I've been looking at the possibility of a nuclear propelled South Korean (SK) submarine (called KSS-N) which is larger than SK's KSS-III (see Submarine Matters'References below).
In 2015 I stated: "South Korea's strategy includes the creation of a pre-emptive strike "kill chain" (of threat detection, decision making-authorisation and (mainly missile) pre-emptive strike) against North Korea. Submarines would be a (or the) principal pre-emptive strike and counter-strike platform. Subsonic cruise missiles are generally too slow for these roles - making supersonic+ cruise and ballistic missiles the logical solution."
So it comes as no surprise that yesterday Elizabeth Shim for UPI (August 10, 2020) reported https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/08/10/South-Korea-to-invest-250B-in-missile-defense-submarines/4891597071443/ in part:
In 2015 I stated: "South Korea's strategy includes the creation of a pre-emptive strike "kill chain" (of threat detection, decision making-authorisation and (mainly missile) pre-emptive strike) against North Korea. Submarines would be a (or the) principal pre-emptive strike and counter-strike platform. Subsonic cruise missiles are generally too slow for these roles - making supersonic+ cruise and ballistic missiles the logical solution."
So it comes as no surprise that yesterday Elizabeth Shim for UPI (August 10, 2020) reported https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/08/10/South-Korea-to-invest-250B-in-missile-defense-submarines/4891597071443/ in part:
"...The [SK] defense ministry has also confirmed plans to build 3,600-ton and 4,000-ton submarines. The military is expected to install submarine-launched ballistic missiles, but a decision on whether the submarines are to be nuclear-powered is pending, according to reports. South Korea has agreed with the United States to not use nuclear power for military purposes.
Washington and Seoul recently agreed South Korea could revise missile guidelines that would allow for the use of solid fuel space rockets to launch military satellites..."
Submarine Matters'References
Washington and Seoul recently agreed South Korea could revise missile guidelines that would allow for the use of solid fuel space rockets to launch military satellites..."
Submarine Matters'References
South Korean Submarines, 3,000+ ton KSS-III, Nuclear Potential, April 16, 2015 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2015/04/south-korean-submarines-3000-ton-kss.html
South Korean and Japanese Nuclear Submarine Propulsion, October 21, 2019https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2019/10/south-korean-and-japanese-nuclear.html
South Korea looking at France’s Barracuda SSN or Just the K15 Reactor, October 25, 2019
https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2019/10/south-korea-looking-at-frances.html
https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2019/10/south-korea-looking-at-frances.html
Pete