S. Korea conducts case study of N. Korean denuclearization in Russia

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean military officer went to Russia in May
to observe the dismantling of a nuclear-powered submarine and learn techniques
that may one day be needed if North Korea allows its nuclear program to be
dismantled, an official said Monday.

The officer, an Army major, observed the dismantlement of a nuclear reactor
inside a submarine at a base in Vladivostok from May 7-10 -- the second time
South Korea has organized such a trip -- an official at the Ministry of National
Defense said.
South Korea agreed in 2006 to provide US$250,000 for Russia, which is undergoing
a gradual reduction of its nuclear arms as part of global efforts to reduce
weapons of mass destruction.
Russia and South Korea are also members of stalled six-nation talks that seek to
compensate North Korea for its complete and verifiable denuclearization.
"If one day North Korea agrees to have its nuclear arms programs disassembled,
South Korea needs to play a role in the technical aspect of it, too," a South
Korean official said, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity. "We hope
to expand this type of cooperation with Russia."
North Korea has conducted two known atomic tests in the last three years -- one
in October 2006 and the other on May 25 this year. The six-nation talks, which
also include the United States, China and Japan, have been in limbo since late
last year when North Korea repudiated U.S. assertions on verification methods.
North Korea appears to be inching back toward the talks as it comes under
increasing international sanctions imposed on it after its May nuclear test.
On Sunday, its leader Kim Jong-il met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, leading to
speculation the two may reach a breakthrough agreement announcing the return of
his country to the talks. China, a major source of economic and diplomatic
support for North Korea, hosts the talks.
The South Korean official declined to identify the Russian submarine that was
disassembled earlier this year, only saying it was a Victor I class, which
entered service in the 1960s. Japan and Australia joined in providing financial
support for the Russian dismantling project, he said.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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