Cho Hyun: "Strong Request for Nuclear Fuel Enrichment and Reprocessing Accepted by U.S.; Negotiations to Begin Soon"
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on October 23 that negotiations to revise the South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement will soon begin.
On this day, appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus," Minister Cho stated, "We have strongly requested the reprocessing and reuse of spent nuclear fuel, and since this has been accepted by the United States, we plan to start negotiations soon."
When the host asked whether a broad agreement had been reached on revising the South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement, Minister Cho replied, "Yes." However, he added, "If we say we will pursue independent nuclear armament or aim to become a potential nuclear-armed state, even if the United States wants to cooperate, it would have no choice but to raise concerns. It is important to approach this issue entirely from a commercial and environmental perspective, and to secure U.S. consent for nuclear fuel enrichment and reprocessing."
Regarding the question of whether the South Korea-U.S. trade negotiations, which are reportedly in their final stages, could be announced at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week, Minister Cho took a cautious stance, saying, "There is no need to set a specific deadline for this." He added, "As President Lee Jaemyung has stated, our national interest must come first and the negotiations should be based on commercial rationality. If these conditions are not met, we may take more time to negotiate."
Hot Picks Today
!["It Has Now Crossed Borders": No Vaccine or Treatment as Bundibugyo Ebola Variant Spreads [Reading Science]](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/93/2026052019230771274_1779272587.jpg)
"It Has Now Crossed Borders": No Vaccine or Treatment as Bundibugyo Ebola Variant Spreads [Reading Science]
- "Stocks Are Not Taxed, but Annual Crypto Gains Over 2.5 Million Won to Be Taxed Next Year... Investors Push Back"
- "Even With a 90 Million Won Salary and Bonuses, It Doesn’t Feel Like Much"... A Latecomer Rookie Who Beat 70 to 1 Odds [Scientists Are Disappearing] ③
- "Am I Really in the Top 30%?" and "Worried About My Girlfriend in the Bottom 70%"... Buzz Over High Oil Price Relief Fund
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
On the possibility of a surprise meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States during the APEC summit, Minister Cho said, "That is a rather creative analysis," but also noted, "We cannot rule out the possibility." However, he clarified, "There are no preparations underway for a meeting between the North Korean and U.S. leaders, nor have we been notified of anything like that."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
