Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the country should build its nuclear-powered submarine on South Korean soil.

During a plenary session of the National Assembly's Defense Committee on Wednesday, Ahn said it would be appropriate to build the submarine domestically, given South Korea's 30 years of accumulated technology and scientific research. 

The minister said the Hanwha-acquired Philly Shipyard, the facility U.S. President Donald Trump approved for the project, lacks the necessary technical capacity, personnel and infrastructure, and that the decision will require close interagency consultation.

Ahn added that no specifics have been discussed on either side regarding where the submarine would be built.

The minister said the submarine, intended for military use, would be handled outside of the allies' atomic energy agreement and that a separate treaty would be necessary.