South Korea says to 'move forward' on nuclear subs with US

South Korea says to 'move forward' on nuclear subs with US

South Korea will "move forward" with the United States in building nuclear-powered submarines, President Lee Jae Myung said Friday, after a long-awaited security and trade agreement was finalised.

Analysts say developing the atomic-powered vessels would mark a significant leap in Seoul's naval and defence industrial base, allowing it to join a select group of countries with such vessels.

"One of the greatest variables for our economy and security -- the bilateral negotiations on trade, tariffs and security -- has been finalised," Lee told a news conference, adding the two countries had agreed to "move forward with building nuclear-powered submarines".

Seoul had secured "support for expanding our authority over uranium enrichmen