President Yoon Urges IAEA Director General to Join Efforts for North Korea's Denuclearization

Meeting at the Presidential Office... Concerns Raised Over Japan Fukushima Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Discharge

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] On the afternoon of the 15th, President Yoon Suk-yeol met with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is visiting Korea, at the Yongsan Presidential Office to discuss current issues including the North Korean nuclear problem, according to a written briefing by Deputy Spokesperson Lee Jae-myung.

President Yoon first expressed concern over North Korea's advancement of its nuclear and missile programs, urging, "I ask the IAEA to participate in deterring North Korea's nuclear provocations and achieving denuclearization by strengthening nuclear monitoring activities and inspection readiness."

In response, Director General Grossi said, "I fully share the international community's concerns regarding the North Korean nuclear issue," adding, "The IAEA will make every effort to stop North Korea's nuclear program and uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime."

President Yoon also mentioned the concerns of the Korean people regarding Japan's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, stating, "I ask the IAEA to verify this issue scientifically and objectively."

Director General Grossi replied, "The IAEA is handling this issue based on firm transparency," and added, "We will closely communicate with Korea by disclosing data in real time throughout the entire process."

President Yoon further emphasized, "Korea is a model country in the utilization of nuclear energy," and stated, "We intend to continue contributing to the IAEA's goal of promoting peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy."

Director General Grossi said, "The contrasting choices of Korea and North Korea regarding nuclear energy are clear," and added, "Korea, which has become a leading country in global nuclear power generation through peaceful use of nuclear energy, is a representative exemplary case." He continued, "To strengthen cooperation with nuclear-related companies, we recently formed the Vienna group," and added, "We hope to closely cooperate with Korea's major companies in the development of next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), deregulation related to nuclear power generation, and the process of forming new norms."

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