Gyeongju, Oct 30 The presidential office on Thursday welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to approve South Korea's bid to build a nuclear-powered submarine, vowing to closely cooperate with the US throughout the process.
Trump wrote on social media on Thursday that he had given South Korea approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine, adding it will be built at shipyards in Philadelphia.
The approval came a day after South Korea President Lee Jae Myung asked Trump to allow South Korea to have nuclear fuel to build nuclear-powered submarines during their summit held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju.
"Our government welcomes President Trump's decision," presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-jun said in a press briefing.
"The decision will help bolster our defence capabilities and greatly enhance our military's role in defending the Republic of Korea," he said, referring to the country's official name.
Kim added that South Korea will work closely with the US as it proceeds with the necessary follow-up measures, Yonhap News Agency reported.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he has granted approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, adding the submarine will be built at shipyards in Philadelphia.
Trump wrote the message on his Truth Social account a day after he and President Lee Jae Myung agreed on the need for Seoul to secure fuel for nuclear-powered submarines during their summit held on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events.
"I have given them approval to build a nuclear powered submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered submarines that they have now," Trump wrote.
The approval was granted on the grounds that the US-South Korea military alliance is "stronger than ever before," the US president said, adding, "A great trip, with a great president of South Korea."
In a subsequent upload, Trump also said South Korea will be building its nuclear-powered submarine at the Philadelphia shipyards in Pennsylvania, the United States.
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