42nd IAEA General Conference

Korea, Rep. of, Dr. Jung Uck SEO, Minister of Science and Technology:

The speaker opened his speech by noting that in an increasingly deregulated energy environment, nuclear industry is faced with the twin challenge of economic competitiveness and public acceptance. The rise in energy demand amid growing concern over the impact of greenhouse gases on global climate would give nuclear power a renewed importance for large-scale power generation. The IAEA's role is to suggest the direction of nuclear technology development and to develop an extensive nuclear safety regime, comprehensive safety standards and to implement safety services. He said that since Korea has few natural energy resource, it has endeavored to achieve self-reliance in nuclear technology. With IAEA's assistance his country has obtained the technical capability to design, build and operate nuclear power plants. Korea will continue its Research and Development programs to develop safer and more reliable reactor and nuclear fuels with better economy, which will substantially improve public acceptance of nuclear power. These programs include the development of the Korean Next Generation Reactor (KNGR), Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Fuel (CANFLEX), Direct Use of PWR spent fuels into CANDU (DUPIC) and System-Integrated Modular Advanced Reactor (SMART). SMART is already incorporated into the Agency's technical co-operation for desalination. The speaker also noted that nuclear power made major contributions in overcoming the recent economic crisis in Korea by reducing the import of fossil fuel for electric power generation. Addressing the issue of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, he said that the Korean government supports further strengthening of the non-proliferation regime which is crucial for maintaining world security and peace. Korea signed the Additional Protocol in June 1998 and is now taking necessary measures to meet its constitutional requirements for early entry into force. This year it is also hosting the Asia-Pacific Regional Safeguards Policy Seminar jointly with the IAEA. The speaker expressed Korea's concern over the non-compliance of North Korea with its Safeguards agreement and urged it to implement its safeguards obligation without further delay. He welcomed the recent announcement by North Korea not to launch missile tests. He added that his country attaches great importance to the amendment of the Article VI of the Agency's Statute and would like to see those Member States as Board Members which have active nuclear programs and the capabilities to contribute towards enhanced cooperation among Member States. Referring to the issue of nuclear safety, he expressed satisfaction with the first Review Meeting under the Convention on Nuclear Safety and said that Korea is looking forward to an early entry into force of the Joint Convention of the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. He closed by commenting on the Y2K problem. Korea has completed verification tests against the year 2000 computer problem for all operating nuclear power plants and does not expect any malfunctions that may affect continued safe operation. Due to its geographical location, Korea will be among the first countries to enter the year 2000. Its experience will produce relevant data which it will provide to the IAEA and the OECD/NEA to help them with similar problems.

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Korea, Rep. of, Dr. Jung Uck SEO, Minister of Science and Technology:



The speaker opened his speech by noting that in an increasingly deregulated energy environment, nuclear industry is faced with the twin challenge of economic competitiveness and public acceptance. The rise in energy demand amid growing concern over the impact of greenhouse gases on global climate would give nuclear power a renewed importance for large-scale power generation. The IAEA's role is to suggest the direction of nuclear technology development and to develop an extensive nuclear safety regime, comprehensive safety standards and to implement safety services. He said that since Korea has few natural energy resource, it has endeavored to achieve self-reliance in nuclear technology. With IAEA's assistance his country has obtained the technical capability to design, build and operate nuclear power plants. Korea will continue its Research and Development programs to develop safer and more reliable reactor and nuclear fuels with better economy, which will substantially improve public acceptance of nuclear power. These programs include the development of the Korean Next Generation Reactor (KNGR), Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Fuel (CANFLEX), Direct Use of PWR spent fuels into CANDU (DUPIC) and System-Integrated Modular Advanced Reactor (SMART). SMART is already incorporated into the Agency's technical co-operation for desalination. The speaker also noted that nuclear power made major contributions in overcoming the recent economic crisis in Korea by reducing the import of fossil fuel for electric power generation. Addressing the issue of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, he said that the Korean government supports further strengthening of the non-proliferation regime which is crucial for maintaining world security and peace. Korea signed the Additional Protocol in June 1998 and is now taking necessary measures to meet its constitutional requirements for early entry into force. This year it is also hosting the Asia-Pacific Regional Safeguards Policy Seminar jointly with the IAEA. The speaker expressed Korea's concern over the non-compliance of North Korea with its Safeguards agreement and urged it to implement its safeguards obligation without further delay. He welcomed the recent announcement by North Korea not to launch missile tests. He added that his country attaches great importance to the amendment of the Article VI of the Agency's Statute and would like to see those Member States as Board Members which have active nuclear programs and the capabilities to contribute towards enhanced cooperation among Member States. Referring to the issue of nuclear safety, he expressed satisfaction with the first Review Meeting under the Convention on Nuclear Safety and said that Korea is looking forward to an early entry into force of the Joint Convention of the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. He closed by commenting on the Y2K problem. Korea has completed verification tests against the year 2000 computer problem for all operating nuclear power plants and does not expect any malfunctions that may affect continued safe operation. Due to its geographical location, Korea will be among the first countries to enter the year 2000. Its experience will produce relevant data which it will provide to the IAEA and the OECD/NEA to help them with similar problems.