DPRK can have right to use nuclear power for peaceful purpose if preconditions are met: S.Korean Ministry
People's Daily Online -- DPRK can have right to use nuclear power for peaceful purpose if preconditions are met: S.Korean Ministry
The South Korean Foreign Ministry said Pyongyang can have the right to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes if it rejoins the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and meets other strict international obligations, reported South Korean Yonhap New Agency on Friday.
On Thursday, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated similar stance that if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) returns to the NPT and allows the inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency, "it is qualified to have peaceful nuclear program."
On Friday, Yonhap released an interview of Cho Tae-yong, the head of the task force on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula in the South Korean Foreign Ministry, over the issue.
Cho echoed Chung's remarks, saying "Our official stance is that North Korea (DPRK) deserves the right to have a nuclear program for peaceful operation, if it re-signs the NPT and allows the inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency."
However, Cho also clarified South Korea's position is also conditional on the DPRK not possessing uranium-enrichment or plutonium-reprocessing facilities and graphite-moderated reactors which experts say produce greater amounts of plutonium, the key material for nuclear bombs.
Cho said the DPRK's peaceful nuclear program considered by Seoul includes power generation by using light-water reactors which scientists say are hard to convert for weapons programs.
However, Cho reiterated Seoul's stance that the construction work of the uncompleted two light-water reactors in Shinpo, South Hamkyong Province in the DPRK should not be resumed.
According to Cho, the DPRK could develop other light-water reactors, if it is entitled with the right to develop nuclear facilities for peaceful purpose.
In July, South Korea announced it was willing to provide electricity to the DPRK if the latter agrees to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
South Korea said it would use the money originally allocated for the construction of light water reactors in the DPRK to build electricity transmission lines linking South Korea and the DPRK.
According to the Agreed Framework signed by the United States and the DPRK in 1994, the DPRK agreed to seal its nuclear facilities in exchanging for energy aid and construction of two light water reactors.
The US-led consortium, the Korean Peninsula Energy Development( KEDO), was responsible for the construction work. South Korea is a main member of the organization.
However, work of building the reactors has been halted since 2003, one year after the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula occurred.
Cho also denied reports that South Korea was moving to persuade the US and other participants in the six-party talks to endorse the DPRK's right to peaceful nuclear activities
"Those are irresponsible reports that do not take into account various preconditions attached to it," said Cho, who also serves as the deputy chief of the South Korean nuclear negotiating team.
The fourth round six-party talks entered a recess of some three weeks from last Sunday after 13-day negotiations. The six nations - China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan - agreed to reopen the fourth round of the talks in the week begins from Aug. 29.
Source: Xinhua
The South Korean Foreign Ministry said Pyongyang can have the right to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes if it rejoins the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and meets other strict international obligations, reported South Korean Yonhap New Agency on Friday.
On Thursday, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated similar stance that if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) returns to the NPT and allows the inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency, "it is qualified to have peaceful nuclear program."
On Friday, Yonhap released an interview of Cho Tae-yong, the head of the task force on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula in the South Korean Foreign Ministry, over the issue.
Cho echoed Chung's remarks, saying "Our official stance is that North Korea (DPRK) deserves the right to have a nuclear program for peaceful operation, if it re-signs the NPT and allows the inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency."
However, Cho also clarified South Korea's position is also conditional on the DPRK not possessing uranium-enrichment or plutonium-reprocessing facilities and graphite-moderated reactors which experts say produce greater amounts of plutonium, the key material for nuclear bombs.
Cho said the DPRK's peaceful nuclear program considered by Seoul includes power generation by using light-water reactors which scientists say are hard to convert for weapons programs.
However, Cho reiterated Seoul's stance that the construction work of the uncompleted two light-water reactors in Shinpo, South Hamkyong Province in the DPRK should not be resumed.
According to Cho, the DPRK could develop other light-water reactors, if it is entitled with the right to develop nuclear facilities for peaceful purpose.
In July, South Korea announced it was willing to provide electricity to the DPRK if the latter agrees to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
South Korea said it would use the money originally allocated for the construction of light water reactors in the DPRK to build electricity transmission lines linking South Korea and the DPRK.
According to the Agreed Framework signed by the United States and the DPRK in 1994, the DPRK agreed to seal its nuclear facilities in exchanging for energy aid and construction of two light water reactors.
The US-led consortium, the Korean Peninsula Energy Development( KEDO), was responsible for the construction work. South Korea is a main member of the organization.
However, work of building the reactors has been halted since 2003, one year after the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula occurred.
Cho also denied reports that South Korea was moving to persuade the US and other participants in the six-party talks to endorse the DPRK's right to peaceful nuclear activities
"Those are irresponsible reports that do not take into account various preconditions attached to it," said Cho, who also serves as the deputy chief of the South Korean nuclear negotiating team.
The fourth round six-party talks entered a recess of some three weeks from last Sunday after 13-day negotiations. The six nations - China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan - agreed to reopen the fourth round of the talks in the week begins from Aug. 29.
Source: Xinhua
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