S. Korea, U.S. reaffirm resolve to develop 'strategic' atomic energy partnership

SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States have reaffirmed their resolve to develop a "comprehensive and strategic" partnership in atomic energy, including cooperation on nuclear reactor exports, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.

The two allies held the second meeting of the High Level Bilateral Commission (HLBC) in Washington on Thursday, led by Seoul's Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette.

"(The two sides) shared the view that cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. may not only expand the possibility of the two countries' companies advancing into a third country's nuclear reactor market but also contribute to international non-proliferation and energy security," the ministry said in a press release.

The two sides agreed to use an HLBC working group for follow-up discussions over ways to cooperate on tapping into foreign markets for nuclear reactor exports.

The commission was installed in line with the bilateral civil atomic energy cooperation accord last revised in 2015.

Cho and Brouillette were briefed on progress in cooperative projects that have been carried out by four HLBC working groups in charge of spent fuel management, assured fuel supply, promotion of nuclear exports and nuclear security.

After a briefing by the Nuclear Security Working Group, they agreed to drive international nuclear security endeavors through a set of initiatives such as minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium for research reactors and holding a workshop of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in Seoul next year.

"(We) judge that the HLBC plenary session served as a meaningful chance to hold candid and substantive consultations over various matters of mutual interest," the ministry said.

The two sides plan to hold the third HLBC plenary meeting next year in Seoul.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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