Seoul
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has conveyed to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright the country’s need for nuclear fuel reprocessing and enrichment for commercial purposes, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Cho stressed that, as an operator of 26 nuclear reactors, South Korea must secure a complete nuclear fuel cycle — including enrichment and reprocessing — to ensure stable operation and long-term energy security. He clarified that this request is purely for commercial purposes. Wright responded that the matter would be discussed with relevant government bodies.
Seoul seeks relaxation of the “123 Agreement,” a nuclear pact with the US that currently prohibits spent fuel reprocessing and uranium enrichment. Cho and Wright recalled constructive discussions on nuclear energy cooperation between Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump last month, agreeing to continue consultations to detail cooperation. They also emphasised the need for close collaboration between companies of both countries to meet rising global demand for nuclear power.
Separately, Cho met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, discussing expanded cooperation in culture, academia, and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to build on over 60 years of bilateral ties. Cho highlighted the growing popularity of Korean culture and cuisine in Iran as an area for future engagement. The talks also touched on concerns regarding the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran.
