By Anadolu Staff
ISTANBUL (AA) – The US and South Korea have reaffirmed the need to “swiftly” make progress on Seoul’s efforts to secure civil uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing rights, as well as cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, local media reported Thursday.
The understanding was reached during a meeting in Washington between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry.
The two sides discussed a range of issues, including the implementation of a joint fact sheet released in November outlining trade and security agreements from two summits between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held in August and October.
The joint fact sheet includes US approval for South Korea to build nuclear-powered attack submarines and support for a process that would allow Seoul to pursue civil uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing for peaceful purposes.
“The two sides reaffirmed a shared understanding of the need to swiftly make concrete progress on enrichment and reprocessing, as well as cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines,” the ministry said, adding that they agreed to promptly pursue working-level consultations.
Cho expressed expectations that Seoul and Washington would further strengthen strategic nuclear energy cooperation through expanded collaboration in enrichment and reprocessing, while Wright agreed to actively cooperate to help achieve tangible progress, the statement said.