(3rd LD) [APEC 2025] Lee asks Trump to allow S. Korea to have fuel for nuclear-powered submarines

(ATTN: UPDATES with summit talks, remarks; CHANGES headline)
By Kim Eun-jung

GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday asked U.S. President Donald Trump to allow South Korea to secure fuel for nuclear-powered submarines and vowed to increase defense spending to bolster the nation's military capabilities.

Lee made the remarks during their summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, as Seoul has been seeking to revise its bilateral nuclear energy agreement with Washington to gain greater flexibility in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and enriching uranium.

"I hope you will make a decision to allow us to have supply for nuclear-powered submarines," Lee said, asking Trump to instruct his administration to advance consultations on spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.

Lee also pledged that South Korea will boost defense spending to bolster its own military capability.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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