South Korea has announced plans to build its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s, saying the vessel will play “a pivotal role” in countering North Korea’s growing submarine-based nuclear and missile threats.

During the inaugural Future Defense Strategy Committee meeting on Tuesday at the southeastern naval hub of Jinhae, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back unveiled Seoul’s basic plan for the scheme, dubbed the Jangbogo-N Project.

The project envisions conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines designed and built domestically to strengthen South Korea’s underwater capabilities. Ahn said Seoul aims to launch the first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s.

“As nuclear-powered submarines can monitor