Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Monday spoke by phone with the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and stressed that Seoul will maintain transparent communication with the international nuclear watchdog over its plan to build nuclear-powered submarines. During the talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Cho said South Korea fully complies with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and will continue transparent consultations with the agency in the process of introducing nuclear-powered submarines, according to the foreign ministry. Grossi said he fully trusts the Seoul government’s commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and that the IAEA will maintain close cooperation with South Korea over the issue. U.S. President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s push to secure nuclear-powered submarines after his summit with President Lee Jae Myung last year, and the two nations are working to advance the agreement and set details, including cooperation on fuel supply for the submarines. Cho also asked for the agency’s support for Seoul’s efforts to
