ID :
25384
Sun, 10/19/2008 - 12:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/25384
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea, U.S. to hold talks to revise bilateral atomic energy pact
SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States will hold talks this week to exchange views on possible revisions to their current bilateral atomic energy pact that expires in early 2014, the government said Sunday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said they will hold a
preliminary meeting during the four-day-long 29th annual meeting of the South
Korea-U.S. Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation (JSCNEC) that
begins Monday in Seoul.
Without going into details, the ministry said Seoul and Washington will outline
what they want changed in the November 1972 agreement and set dates for formal
negotiations, which are expected to start in 2009.
The current pact on the civil use of atomic energy was signed when South Korea
wanted to build nuclear reactors but had to rely heavily on outside help for
technological assistance, and Washington wanted to keep a tight lid on nuclear
proliferation.
"The pact stressed the peaceful use of atomic power and put into place many
safeguards that allows Washington to keep close watch on nuclear technology,
materials and fuel used in the country," said a ministry official.
He added that because circumstances have changed considerably, as South Korea is
now the fifth-largest user of atomic power in the world, Seoul will likely ask
for eased restrictions.
"The goal is to sign another pact by the end of 2012, so it can be ratified by
respective lawmakers in 2013," the expert said. The existing pact that has
undergone one revision expires in March 2014.
Besides this, the two sides are to touch on Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP) activities and support for U.N. Security Council resolution 1540.
The GNEP is an international partnership to promote the use of nuclear power and
close the nuclear fuel cycle to reduce waste and control the risk of
proliferation, while the United Nations resolution covers non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction.
Other areas that are to be covered are research and development in nuclear energy
and safety issues.
South Korea and the U.S. will be represented by 74 and 27 people, respectively,
at the talks that will involve visits to nuclear energy manufacturing facilities
in Changwon, 398 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said they will hold a
preliminary meeting during the four-day-long 29th annual meeting of the South
Korea-U.S. Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation (JSCNEC) that
begins Monday in Seoul.
Without going into details, the ministry said Seoul and Washington will outline
what they want changed in the November 1972 agreement and set dates for formal
negotiations, which are expected to start in 2009.
The current pact on the civil use of atomic energy was signed when South Korea
wanted to build nuclear reactors but had to rely heavily on outside help for
technological assistance, and Washington wanted to keep a tight lid on nuclear
proliferation.
"The pact stressed the peaceful use of atomic power and put into place many
safeguards that allows Washington to keep close watch on nuclear technology,
materials and fuel used in the country," said a ministry official.
He added that because circumstances have changed considerably, as South Korea is
now the fifth-largest user of atomic power in the world, Seoul will likely ask
for eased restrictions.
"The goal is to sign another pact by the end of 2012, so it can be ratified by
respective lawmakers in 2013," the expert said. The existing pact that has
undergone one revision expires in March 2014.
Besides this, the two sides are to touch on Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP) activities and support for U.N. Security Council resolution 1540.
The GNEP is an international partnership to promote the use of nuclear power and
close the nuclear fuel cycle to reduce waste and control the risk of
proliferation, while the United Nations resolution covers non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction.
Other areas that are to be covered are research and development in nuclear energy
and safety issues.
South Korea and the U.S. will be represented by 74 and 27 people, respectively,
at the talks that will involve visits to nuclear energy manufacturing facilities
in Changwon, 398 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
