South Korea and the United States engaged in discussions for a second day regarding their security agreements, focusing on Seoul’s efforts to secure uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful purposes. The talks, which began on Tuesday, are part of bilateral consultations to advance agreements made at a summit between the two countries’ leaders last year.
Under the joint fact sheet, the US pledged support for processes leading to uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing for civilian use, as well as Seoul’s initiative to develop conventionally armed nuclear-propelled submarines. The US delegation, led by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, arrived in Seoul for the talks, accompanied by other officials.
The discussions on Wednesday were expected to revolve around Seoul’s request to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel for civilian purposes, a move that would necessitate a revision of the 2015 bilateral nuclear energy cooperation pact. South Korea is seeking to amend the agreement, known as the 123 Agreement, to obtain “advance consent” from the US for these activities.
The focus of the meeting was anticipated to be on working-level talks concerning these issues, with officials from South Korea’s National Security Office and the National Security Council likely leading the discussions. The allies had already addressed the nuclear-powered submarine program during Tuesday’s talks.
During her meeting with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, Hooker mentioned on social media that they discussed advancing bilateral nuclear cooperation and emphasized the importance of economic security for national security. The delayed follow-up security talks were attributed to Seoul’s legislative process for a planned USD 350 billion investment in the US and concerns over perceived discriminatory treatment of US-listed e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. in South Korea.
