U.S. President Donald Trump gave his approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine on Wednesday, a major breakthrough in Seoul’s decadeslong push for such assets that could bolster deterrence against North Korea.

Experts told NK News that going nuclear will enable longer, stealthier operations at a time when Pyongyang is modernizing its navy and developing its own nuclear submarine, while noting that it could ultimately give Seoul a greater role within the alliance.