S. Korea seeking markets for its nuclear reactors: official

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is seeking export markets for its
commercial nuclear reactors that have a proven track record and enjoy
technological competitiveness, the country's education, science and technology
minister said Monday.
Minister Ahn Byong-man said in a keynote address at the International Ministerial
Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century in Beijing that the country has
been committed to research and development (R&D) of nuclear reactors for the past
50 years.
He stressed that such efforts allowed the country to become the world's sixth
largest operator of nuclear energy, with 20 reactors on-line providing just under
40 percent of the nation's electrical power needs.
The senior policymaker also said that the country has been able to independently
develop so-called OPR-1000 and APR-1400 reactor units that can be used by other
countries.
He added that Seoul is committed to the peaceful use of nuclear power and will
advance R&D to meet future demands.
Ahn, meanwhile, also held talks with Khalid Toukan, chairman of Jordan's Atomic
Energy Commission, in Beijing to promote South Korea's accumulated knowhow in
nuclear energy.
The two sides discussed the technology, safety, and training needed to run
nuclear power plants.
Jordan, along with other countries including Turkey, are potential markets for
South Korean reactors. Both countries have said they want to build up their
atomic energy sectors to meet future energy requirements.
South Korean officials have emphasized the high level of South Korea's
operational know-how that can be shared with the Middle Eastern nation.
In addition to talks with Toukan, Ahn met with International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei to discuss global nuclear-related developments and
exchanged views on expanding South Korea's role in the agency.
China, meanwhile, said at the IAEA gathering that it is not engaged in any
nuclear cooperation arrangements with North Korea.
Wang Yiren, head of China's Atomic Energy Authority, said there is no cooperation
taking place between the two neighbors and that Beijing is committed to the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
He stressed that China has consistently called for dialogue to deal with the
North Korean nuclear issue.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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