Largest Security Event Ever

The issue of nuclear security enhancement has come to the fore since the September 11 attack that increased the possibility of terrorist groups misusing nuclear materials to a realistic level. In his Prague Manifesto in 2009, US President Barack Obama declared nuclear terrorism as the biggest threat to international security and made public his plan to keep nuclear materials in safe hands. The announcement was to realize the concept of a nuclear-free world in the long-run through globally coordinated efforts.

As a follow-up measure, the first Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was held in April 2010 in Washington, D.C. The largest international conference dealing with nuclear issues, it was attended by the UN, EU, IAEA and 47 countries, including the world’s five nuclear powers -- US, Britain, China, France and Russia -- and non-NPT members such as India, Pakistan and Israel. The participants exchanged thoughts and opinions regarding how to prevent the ill-intentioned use of nuclear materials by non-state agents and attain the goal of enhanced nuclear security. The Washington Communique was adopted as a result to forestall any possibility of nuclear terrorism by taking every measure needed during the following four years. It was in this context that Seoul was selected for the second convention.

The second NSS, taking place on March 26 and 27 under the chairmanship of Korea, is expected to be the largest summit in the field of security and history of international conferences in Korea. The events will be attended by the leaders of 50 nations and four international organizations. Participants are not only going to seek better ways for multilateral cooperation in regards to nuclear safety and security, but also making a turning point for the renaissance of the atomic power industry. New participants this year include the Azerbaijani Republic, Denmark, Lithuania and Interpol.

“If the G20 is the most prestigious summit-level meeting in the global economic sphere, the NSS is the most renowned summit regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy and development of the atomic power industry,” said President Lee Myung-bak. At this year’s occasion, Korea takes a leading role in coordinating the opinions of participating countries and organs and drawing up the Seoul Communique. The major agendas are the safe management of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and plutonium, nuclear safety, and measures against elements of nuclear terrorism, such as dirty bombs, etc.

The 2012 Seoul NSS is divided into two events -- 2012 Seoul Nuclear Industry Summit and 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Symposium -- to further solidify the framework of cooperation between governments, industries and academic circles. The Nuclear Security Symposium, co-hosted by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), and the Institute of Foreign Affairs & National Security, invites a large number of summit participants and nuclear industry experts.

Nuclear Industry Summit to Be Associated Event

The Nuclear Industry Summit will be attended by approximately 200 high-level figures, such as top-level management of global nuclear power enterprises and senior officials of international agencies. Second to none in terms of size in the domestic nuclear power industry, it kicks off on March 23 at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel Seoul in celebration of the NSS before its opening. Invitees are scheduled to make a tour of local industrial facilities the next day.

The Korean government and atomic power sector are planning to utilize the Nuclear Industry Summit as an opportunity to publicize the high safety standards and technological superiority of Korean-made nuclear power plants and raise its national standing as a nuclear industry powerhouse. To this end, the organizing committee was established in early July last year, along with an international advisory committee.

The former, headed by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) CEO Kim Jong-shin, is staffed with top officials from 20 or so nuclear power companies, public organizations, research institutes, industry associations and industry elders with abundant experience and expertise. KHNP, which is handling preparations for the summit, is a state-run enterprise responsible for the operation and management of atomic power stations in Korea.

Members of the organizing committee include Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), KEPCO Engineering & Construction, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel, KEPCO KPS, Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation (KRMC), Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyosung Power & Industrial Systems Performance Group, Hyundai E&C, Samsung C&T Corporation, Daewoo E&C, GS E&C, Korean Nuclear Society, Korea Atomic Industrial Forum, KINAC, and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, etc. Its advisory elders include former Minister of Science-Technology Jeong Geun-mo, professor Kim Gyeong-min of Hanyang University, and professor Kim Byeong-gu of UAE’s Khalifa University.

The committee held a workshop at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel on December 15, 100 days prior to the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Industry Summit. Roughly 100 industry figures from both home and overseas participated in the seminar to talk about the significance and impact of the summit, make presentations, and report on the current status and future plans of working groups.

Working Groups’ Roles and Discussion Topics

At present, three working groups are working to give concrete shape to the themes of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Industry Summit. Detailed discussions at the working groups are summarized in the form of an agreement, which will be suggested to the 2012 Seoul NSS.

The first group deals with the minimization of the use of HEU. The chemical is used in research reactors at colleges and labs, as well as for medical isotope production. What is important is that HEU is not taken out of such sites for weaponization. The group searches for ways to replace HEU with low-enriched uranium in academic research and medical isotope manufacturing.

The second group tries to find how to hinder the collection of information and technology necessary for the malicious use of nuclear materials. Specifically, the better protection of sensitive information is pursued by means of advanced techniques for nuclear accounting, material detection, border control, transportation and information security, etc.

The third one covers the integrated awareness and total management of nuclear safety and security following the Fukushima power plant accident. The idea is to hold negative public awareness of nuclear power at bay by guarding against a possible threat to nuclear security as serious and fatal as the Fukushima disaster.

Nuclear Industry Summit Held in Advance to Draw Attention

The general meeting of the Nuclear Industry Summit takes place on March 23, 2012 at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Samsung-dong, Seoul.

The morning session will be kicked off by video footage introducing Korea’s atomic power industry. Following this, organizing committee chair Kim Jong-shin and Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik will deliver opening and congratulatory speeches before keynote addresses by the IAEA, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, World Association of Nuclear Operators and World Nuclear Association. After the addresses, the Summit’s working groups and international organizations in the field of nuclear safety and security will present the results of their recent activities.

Following the luncheon presided over by the Minister of Knowledge Economy Hong Suk-woo, panel discussions will be held, and the chairman of the organizing committee declaring the manifesto to be adopted at the summit. A dinner reception hosted by the Prime Minister and an industry tour and cultural experience program are slated for March 24.

The 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security and Industry summits are two of the biggest meetings in the history of the country. They will be a great boon to the nation’s standing in the international community and the competitiveness of its nuclear power industry.

Korea’s chairing signifies its top-tier nuclear technological strength, with its adamant will for denuclearization fully acknowledged by nations around the world. It can also be seen as a natural consequence of its exemplary observance of NPT terms and active contribution to the use of atomic energy for peaceful civilian purposes. The summits will also bear great significance in that the Korean peninsula has enormous implications regarding global nuclear issues.