'Past joint fuel-cycle research offers foundation for future cooperation; agreement and further talks needed'

Trump executive order accelerates US nuclear push; official sidesteps questions on nuclear submarine security talks

The US flag is illuminated outside the American Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 4. [Yonhap]
The US flag is illuminated outside the American Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 4. [Yonhap]

A US government official said Thursday that the potential for cooperation between the United States and South Korea across the full spectrum of nuclear energy — including enrichment and reprocessing — is significant, and expressed hope that South Korean companies would actively join the American nuclear revival accelerated by President Donald Trump's executive order.

The official, described as well-versed in the matter, met with South Korean reporters at the US Embassy in Seoul on Thursday and said that joint fuel-cycle research had been conducted between the two countries in the past, pointing to that history as a foundation for future cooperation.

However, the official also outlined prerequisites that would need to be addressed before any concrete steps could be taken. "There are a number of issues we need to work through to get there," the official said, adding that matters related to enrichment and reprocessing "will need to be addressed through the US-South Korea nuclear cooperation agreement and additional discussions."

The official said the US nuclear industry has been advancing rapidly since Trump issued an executive order directing a nuclear energy revival.

Describing new nuclear programs under way in the United States, the official said the results have shown that "the old perception that nuclear takes a long time, requires government support and creates regulatory bottlenecks is no longer valid."

The official went on to say that nuclear power plant construction "has shown it can proceed efficiently," adding that "next-generation reactor technology is no longer something for the future — it is ready right now."

The official was particularly enthusiastic about expanding partnerships with South Korean companies. "We welcome the participation of South Korean companies" in related projects, the official said, expressing hope that their involvement "will contribute to the nuclear renaissance not only in the United States but around the world."

Meanwhile, the official declined to give a direct answer when asked about progress on security consultations — including on nuclear-powered submarines — that were included in a US-South Korea joint fact sheet.


sunpine@heraldcorp.com