PPP Lawmakers Propose Special Bill for Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) proposed a special bill on Thursday to support South Korea's efforts to build nuclear-powered submarines. Introduced by Rep. Yu Yong-weon and signed by 30 PPP lawmakers and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, the bill calls for the creation of a nuclear-powered submarine strategy committee under the president. This committee would include the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to establish a government-wide system for the project. Rep. Yu stated that current laws, specifically the Defense Acquisition Program Act and Nuclear Safety Act, have limitations in reflecting the unique characteristics of military nuclear propulsion systems.

This proposal differs from a draft bill issued by the defense ministry, which suggests placing the committee under the prime minister. The ministry's draft provides the legal basis for the Jang Bogo N project, which aims to build at least three 8,000-ton conventionally-armed nuclear-propelled attack submarines by the mid-2030s using low-enriched uranium. The PPP intends to have its proposal included in the ministry's draft during the public feedback period, which ends on September 7.

Center-right framing emphasizes the strategic necessity of the bill to ensure continuity across power transitions and to persuade the United States that the submarines would be a strategic asset for the alliance and Indo-Pacific security. This perspective highlights the need for the bill to be established before the results of a US feasibility review are released. Center framing focuses more on the legislative process and the specific differences between the PPP proposal and the defense ministry's draft.