The United States, Japan, and South Korea on Tuesday, 8 July 2025 signed a landmark trilateral agreement to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in third countries, with an initial focus on the Indo-Pacific region. The Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was formalised on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, marking a concrete advance in the three allies' deepening strategic alignment on energy security and civil nuclear technology.

Who Signed and What Was Agreed

The MOC was signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. The framework establishes a structure for trilateral cooperation to fast-track SMR deployment in partner nations, while advancing shared security interests and helping those countries meet their own energy needs.

According to the US State Department, the agreement seeks to encourage cooperation among the three countries' nuclear industries by promoting fleet deployment models, reducing project risks, achieving economies of scale, attracting private investment, streamlining licensing processes, and optimising supply chains.

What the US, Japan, and South Korea Said

Rubio framed the agreement in the context of mounting global energy pressures. 'One of the most important issues in the world today, as we're reminded of even now with events happening in the Straits of Hormuz and in other places, is energy security,' he said. He added that the deal would allow the three nations 'to move forward on joint work on small modular reactors, which is going to be in many ways the future of energy generation in a very safe, efficient way, cost-effective way that will make our economies stronger.'

Rubio also described the MOC as 'a product of our trilateral engagement,' signalling that the forum was producing tangible results beyond diplomatic declarations. He separately welcomed the strengthening of the Japan–South Korea bilateral relationship, calling it one that 'has grown stronger over the last three to four years.'

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi noted that the three countries had already made 'concrete efforts' since last October, including strengthening critical minerals supply chains and addressing North Korea's cyber threats. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho described SMRs as 'one of the many areas where we can work together, facing the challenges of the world.'

US Funding and Industry Initiative

Alongside the MOC, the United States announced more than $10 million in new funding for the State Department's Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Programme. The funding is intended to support technical assistance for Indo-Pacific nations, advance SMR project development, and establish a regional training hub for workforce development.

Separately, Washington announced an industry-level initiative involving GE Vernova, Hitachi, Samsung C&T, and SGE to support the deployment of the BWRX-300 SMR model across Europe.

Why SMRs and Why Now

Small modular reactors are advanced nuclear reactors engineered to generate reliable, low-carbon electricity with smaller physical footprints and lower upfront capital costs compared to conventional nuclear plants. Governments across the world are investing heavily in the technology as they seek secure, clean, and dependable energy sources while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This agreement comes amid intensifying competition in the global civil nuclear market, where Russia and China have historically dominated exports. A coordinated US–Japan–South Korea approach is designed to offer partner countries a credible alternative, backed by what the State Department described as 'the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.' The pact signals that the three allies intend to convert their technological edge into geopolitical influence across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.