잠수함, 핵을 품다 [시사기획 창] / KBS 2026.08.18.

The government has officially formalized a massive challenge toward acquiring "nuclear-powered submarines." This is the "Jang보고 N" project for the Korean nuclear submarine. The Korean nuclear submarine is a massive and stealthy secret weapon of the ocean depths, capable of operating underwater for months without an oxygen supply. The obstacles we must overcome and the equations we must solve to acquire Korean nuclear submarines are by no means easy. This article sheds light on the present and future of the Korean nuclear submarine, a core strategic asset that will determine the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. ■ Overwhelming Presence of U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Captured… Will Korea Join the Ranks of Deep-Sea Hegemons? The Thames River estuary in Connecticut, in the eastern United States. We captured the scene of a black-hulled Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine departing under the strict escort of U.S. Navy patrol boats. Amidst unstable international circumstances, where is this U.S. nuclear submarine headed? The United States, which transitioned its entire naval force to 100% nuclear submarines starting with the world's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, in 1955. Now, well over half a century after the challenge from the United States, Korea is also seeking to join the ranks for supremacy in the deep sea. ■ The Frustration of 'Project 362'… Memories of the First Submarine from Germany In fact, this is not the first attempt to build a nuclear submarine. 'Project 362' began secretly in 2003 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in a small single-story building at the Navy Headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province. We heard firsthand the story of why, despite a group of just over ten people establishing a plan worth 3.5 trillion won to build three 4,000-ton nuclear submarines and completing the conceptual design, the development was ultimately forced to be halted. Additionally, we are releasing a video featuring Retired Admiral Ahn Byung-gu, the first commander of the Republic of Korea's first submarine, the Jang Bogo, detailing the process of his training in Germany and the subsequent handover of the vessel. ■ The Issue of 'Low-Enriched Uranium' Fuel and the Calculus for Negotiations with the U.S. The heart that powers a Korean-type nuclear submarine is the 'reactor,' and the fuel that makes it run is low-enriched uranium with an enrichment level of less than 20%. Although strictly distinct from highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, the use of nuclear energy for military purposes is restricted under the current ROK-U.S. Atomic Energy Agreement, making a new agreement and diplomatic approval essential. Negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. to procure low-enriched uranium fuel, with the goal of operational deployment in the late 2030s, are proceeding urgently. We examined the complex calculations facing us to overcome the diplomatic hurdle of securing fuel, despite possessing the necessary technological capabilities. #CurrentAffairsPlanningChang #NuclearSubmarine #NuclearPoweredSubmarine #NuclearSubmarine #KoreanTypeNuclearSubmarine #DieselSubmarine #Uranium #LowEnrichedUranium #HighlyEnrichedUranium #NuclearFuel #JangBogoNProject #Project362 #NorthKorea #China #NortheastAsia #Australia #AUKUS Reporter: Kim Young-eun Cinematographer: Lee Jeong-tae Video Editor: Seong Dong-hyeok Research: Seo Yu-ri Assistant Director: Yoon Sang-hoon Broadcast: August 18, 2026, 10:00 PM, KBS 1TV Current Affairs Planning Chang 'Current Affairs Planning Chang' Homepage https://news.kbs.co.kr/vod/program.do... YouTube @kbssisa Facebook Facebook: changkbs Search 'Current Affairs Planning Chang' on WAVVE ▣ View Original KBS Article: http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?nc... ▣ Send a Tip ◇ KakaoTalk: Search 'KBS제보' ◇ Phone: 02-781-1234 ◇ Website: https://goo.gl/4bWbkG ◇ Email: [email protected] Copyright ⓒ KBS. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use (including AI learning) are prohibited.