S. Korea gearing up for nuclear summit next year

SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- Next year's nuclear summit in Seoul will help boost South Korea's international image by bringing almost all major world leaders over for discussions on how to build a safer world to live in, a key organizer said Monday.
South Korea was chosen in April last year as the host for the next Nuclear Security Summit, to be held on March 26-27 in Seoul. About 50 heads of sate and international organizations are expected to attend the summit.
"The 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit will be the largest gathering of heads of state to be hosted by South Korea," said Cho Hee-yong, secretary-general at the Preparatory and Planning Office for the summit.
"By letting us become one of leading groups on the issue of international security and peace, the summit is expected to significantly boost our national profile and brand," Cho told reporters.
As part of its preparations for the summit, the foreign ministry plans to appoint Tuesday a group of 35 advisers.
The advisers, who will include civilian specialists, will offer advice in six different areas, including agenda-setting, public relations, culture and interpretation, Cho said.
"Their help and effective promotion of the national image will play a role in making the upcoming event a success," Cho said.
Next month, the ministry will sign a memorandum of understanding with Yonhap News Agency, which will act as the main host news agency for the summit.
South Korea has ample experience of staging a variety of global events including the 1988 Olympics, the 2002 World Cup and most recently the Group of 20 summit of world leaders last November.
But, next year's nuclear summit will be the biggest-ever diplomatic gathering for a nation that has built a vibrant democracy and an economic miracle from the ruins of the 1950-53 Korean War.
The summit is also expected to underline renewed international efforts to end North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
South Korean officials said world leaders at the Seoul summit are expected to discuss "practical and concrete" ways to prevent the threat of nuclear terrorism and ensure the safety of atomic energy.
Concerns are lingering over the safety of nuclear energy, following widespread radioactive contamination following Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis.
Other agenda items are the securing of all vulnerable atomic materials worldwide and preventing terrorists from obtaining nuclear materials as well as detecting and intercepting the illegal trade of nuclear goods, officials here said.
kdh@yna.co.kr