US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he has given approval for ally South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, a day after the two countries said they have reached a broad trade deal.

Trump met South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday in the southern town of Gyeongju, where the US leader arrived for a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

“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,” Trump said on Truth Social on Thursday. (AFP)