As increasing numbers of pundits and politicians here call for a nuclear-powered submarine to negate North Korea’s ballistic missile threats, some are questioning whether or not international treaties would allow Seoul’s use of nuclear technology for military use.

Although South Korea is a member state of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the NPT does not appear to specifically restrict development of a nuclear-powered submarine.

The NPT, which entered into force in 1970, seeks to curb non-peaceful use of nuclear technology. The aforementioned use in the treaty refers to the nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, and does not restrict use in developing nuclear-powered submarines.

This seems apparent in case of Brazil, which is planning to develop a nuclear-powered attack submarine “Alvaro Alberto” SN10, despite being a member state of the NPT.

The more glaring obstacle is the Seoul and Washington’s agreement on peaceful cooperation, titled “Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.”

It was designed to ensure that the use of nuclear technology and materials, along with cooperation between the allies, here is restricted to civilian use only.

But last year’s revision allowed for the enrichment of up to 20 percent of fissile uranium-235 in South Korea, on the precondition that a bilateral commission and written agreement by the US takes place.

This opens doors for low-level enrichment to use as nuclear fuel, but this means South Korea has to persuade the US first.

Proponents of nuclear-powered submarines see a bright prospect of a successful negotiation, given North Korea’s strides in missile programs.

“Us (South Korea) having a nuclear missile and keeping North Korea in check will not only help us, but also the US. I don’t think the US will be so pessimistic about the idea,” said Saenuri’s Rep. Won Yoo-chul, in a radio interview Monday. 

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)