Copyright channelnewsasia
"IRREVERSIBLE" NUCLEAR STATE Analysts say developing a nuclear-powered submarine would mark a significant leap in South Korea's naval and defence industrial-base, joining a select group of countries with such vessels. Only the United States, Australia, China, Russia, India, France and Britain have moved toward nuclear-powered submarines, according to media and analysis reports. Since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's 2019 summit with Trump collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state. Kim has since been emboldened by the war in Ukraine, securing critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces. Pyongyang did not respond to Trump's offer to meet with Kim last week. Instead, its Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui headed to Moscow, where she and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. In September, Kim appeared alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin at an elaborate military parade in Beijing - a striking display of his new, elevated status in global politics. Trump met Kim three times during his first term and once famously said the pair had fallen "in love", but he ultimately failed to secure a lasting agreement on North Korea's nuclear programme. Their meeting, however, did not take place last week. South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun said earlier this week Seoul's spy agency believes Kim was still open to talks with Washington "and will seek contact when the conditions are in place". Although the proposed meeting with Trump did not materialise, "multiple signs suggest" that Pyongyang "had been preparing behind the scenes for possible talks with the US", said the lawmaker.
