SEOUL: South Korea took a major step forward Friday in its long-running quest to secure rights to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes, with the United States affirming its support in the countries' joint summit document.
The joint fact sheet, released earlier in the day, outlines the agreements reached in the two summits between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. It covers the allies' commitments on a range of key trade and security issues.
"Consistent with the bilateral 123 agreement and subject to US legal requirements, the United States supports the process that will lead to the ROK's civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful uses, " the document showed. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
Under the 123 agreement on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, South Korea has very limited authority to reprocess spent nuclear fuel or enrich uranium for civilian purposes, as such activities require US consent through bilateral consultations under the relevant treaties, laws and regulations governing both countries.