The Los Angeles-class USS Bremerton nuclear-powered submarine takes part in a joint anti-submarine drill conducted by Korea and the United States in the West Sea at Apra Harbor in Guam, April 16, 2013. Yonhap
The military has initiated the formal process to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, a Navy document showed Wednesday, amid little progress in security talks with the United States over Seoul's push for the project.
The Navy recently submitted the document to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) outlining the need for the program and specifying requirements, such as desired capabilities, the number of systems needed and projected deployment schedules, according to the document provided to Rep. Kang Dae-sik of the main opposition People Power Party.
The U.S. gave approval for Korea to build nuclear-powered attack submarines and committed to working with Seoul to advance requirements for the project, including avenues to source fuel, under a joint fact sheet released after a summit of the allies' leaders.
The JCS is reviewing the Navy's proposal and is expected to hold a meeting later this month to finalize the requirements for the project.
