U.S. and South Korea Forge Nuclear Submarine Deal to Shift Regional Defense Burden

Washington is shifting the defense burden, and Seoul is getting a powerful upgrade. The U.S. has decided to equip South Korea with nuclear-powered submarines, a move that marks a fundamental change in how the Pacific alliance operates.

A New Era of Burden-Sharing

As of December 26, 2025, the latest developments in the nuclear submarine deal indicate a major strategic pivot. According to Anthony Kuhn, the U.S. won't just stand guard; it's actively preparing its allies to carry more of the defense weight. Providing nuclear submarines is the cornerstone of this new policy, designed to enhance South Korea's independent deterrence capabilities.

Transforming East Asian Security

The details of this 3-minute and 55-second update reveal that the alliance is evolving from a protection-based model to an equipment-sharing partnership. By empowering Seoul with advanced underwater assets, the U.S. aims to balance regional power dynamics more efficiently without increasing its own direct footprint.