Signal Seoul Moves Closer to IAEA Safeguards Deal for Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Summary

The South Korean government formally notified the IAEA of its intention to begin negotiations on a separate agreement under Article 14 of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) and submitted the related declaration. Article 14 of the CSA allows a non-nuclear-weapon state to enter a separate agreement with the IAEA to exempt or defer routine inspections when nuclear material is used for "unprohibited military purposes" such as naval propulsion. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi formally announced this at the September 7 board meeting in Vienna, citing South Korea's reaffirmation of its NPT obligations. South Korea's first nuclear-powered submarine is targeted to enter service in the mid-2030s and reach operational deployment in the latter half of the decade, with momentum gained following the October 2025 security agreement between President Lee Jae-myung and President Trump. At the same board meeting, Grossi also warned of the possible imminent operation of a new uranium enrichment facility at North Korea's Yongbyon site.