U.S. ROK Cooperate on Advanced Nuclear Energy Tech

U.S. ROK Cooperate on Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies

U.S., ROK sign agreement on joint research, development

The United States and the Republic of Korea signed a five-year agreement September 15 to conduct joint research and development on advanced proliferation resistant fuel cycle technologies.

This agreement is part of the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative launched earlier this year, which calls for the U.S. Department of Energy to work with select international partners to develop proliferation-resistant technologies for more sustainable nuclear energy.

Following is the text of a press release issued by the Department of Energy September 15 on the agreement:

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September 15, 2003

U.S. and Republic of Korea Sign Agreement to Cooperate on Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies

Vienna, Austria - Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Republic of Korea Science and Technology Minister Park Ho-Koon, signed a bilateral agreement today to conduct joint research and development on advanced proliferation resistant fuel cycle technologies. The five-year agreement is the sixth in a series of implementing arrangements under a Memorandum of Understanding that promotes collaborative laboratory-to-laboratory exchanges between the United States and the Republic of Korea on advanced nuclear energy technologies.

"Under this agreement, both countries will cooperate on development of these advanced technologies that enhance our energy security and are safer, less waste intensive, and more proliferation resistant," Secretary of Energy Abraham said. "This agreement is important to both of our countries and builds on key recommendations of President Bush's National Energy Policy."

This agreement paves the way for the United States and the Republic of Korea to work together in key aspects of the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative announced earlier this year by Secretary Abraham. Under this initiative, the Department is working with select international partners to develop proliferation-resistant technologies that can provide for a better, safer, more sustainable nuclear energy future. With this new agreement, the two nations will engage in joint projects and experiments in both countries, including fuels and materials irradiations in the U.S.

Information regarding the department's Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative and international cooperation can be found on the nuclear energy web site at www.nuclear.gov.

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