A senior South Korean presidential official said on November 7 that Seoul and Washington are revising security-related sections in their joint fact sheet from last week's summit. The delay in release has sparked speculation of a possible deadlock in alliance coordination. The document outlines a $350 billion investment package and key issues like nuclear submarine fuel supplies.
The revisions stem from the summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump held in Gyeongju on October 29 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering. A senior presidential official told reporters, "There was a need to make some adjustments to reflect additional points that surfaced from the Gyeongju summit."
The joint fact sheet details plans and commitments on South Korea's $350 billion investment package and other alliance priorities, including Seoul's efforts to secure fuel supplies for nuclear submarines. President Lee raised the nuclear submarine issue and its fuel supplies at the outset of the talks. The official noted, "The U.S. has recently been going through another interagency review of the (joint fact sheet) text. It appears that some departments have requested additional input. That's taking some time."
It remains unclear when the document will be released publicly; Seoul officials had previously indicated it would come in the next "two or three" days after the summit. On the nuclear submarine, South Korea will construct the hull and reactor, procuring enriched uranium fuel from the U.S.
Following his talks with Lee, Trump posted on social media that he had approved South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine at a Philadelphia shipyard operated by Hanwha Ocean. The official clarified, "It was discussed between the leaders with the understanding that it will be constructed in South Korea," adding that the summit record attributes the statement to building it in Korea.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers on Thursday that Washington had asked to "wait a little longer," indicating the delay largely results from prolonged coordination among U.S. government agencies.
