SEOUL/WASHINGTON/TOKYO ¨C South Korea¡¯s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines is gaining traction following U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s endorsement, ending decades of U.S. resistance in a move that could reshape Asia¡¯s security landscape and escalate an underwater arms race.
Seoul has long sought to join the elite group of nations operating nuclear submarines to counter North Korea. Trump¡¯s approval removed a key barrier by granting access to fuel under a nuclear agreement between the countries.
Still, South Korea¡¯s rapidly developing program could irk China and pressure Japan to develop similar capabilities, analysts and former military officials say.
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