The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday after talks with the country’s leader.

“I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now,” he said in a social media.

PresidentLee Jae-myung stressed to Trump in their Wednesday meeting that the goal was to modernise the alliance with the US, noting plans to increase military spending to reduce the financial burden on America.

The South Korean leader said there might have been a misunderstanding when they last spoke in August about nuclear-powered submarines, saying that his government was looking for nuclear fuel rather than weapons.

Lee said that if South Korea was equipped with nuclear-powered submarines, it could help US activities in the region.

Trump gifted gold crown in South Korea

Trump gifted gold crown in South Korea

Trump said the submarine would be built in Philadelphia.