Deputy Minister Wi Sung-lak noted that discussions on cooperation related to "nuclear power plant construction" are underway ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for the 25th of next month. During a press briefing at the presidential office on the same day, he said, "It is true that various ideas are emerging, as nuclear power is a very efficient way to produce electricity in large quantities for AI, so the United States is also very interested in this," adding, "Korea has the competitiveness to construct nuclear power plants, so there are related discussions."
He stated, "I am unsure how far the negotiations will go specifically, but it is indeed true that various ideas are currently emerging." He particularly mentioned that the amendment of the nuclear agreement, centered on "spent nuclear fuel treatment" and "completion of the nuclear fuel cycle," could also be on the agenda for this summit.
Deputy Minister Wi said, "This issue is actually a long-standing challenge," adding, "We have been working on this agreement for a long time, and there was a time when it was amended, and there are additional needs for improvement." He continued, "From this perspective, it can be called an agenda for the summit," and added, "We are approaching this summit with the attitude of making progress toward (the amendment)."
The current deadline for the South Korea-U.S. nuclear agreement is until 2035. In 2015, the two countries amended the agreement to allow reprocessing only for "nuclear fuel used for research purposes" and to produce only low-enriched uranium at less than 20%. However, as projections indicate that spent nuclear fuel storage facilities will reach saturation by 2030, it is reported that the U.S. has been asked to amend the agreement. Minister Park Jin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also recently mentioned the need for amendments.
◇"Modernizing the alliance, strengthening the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture"
The "modernization of the alliance," which refers to the strategic flexibility of U.S. forces in Korea, is also a key agenda item. Deputy Minister Wi stated, "The modernization of the South Korea-U.S. alliance in terms of security is one of the goals of this visit to the United States," adding, "The modernization we envision for the South Korea-U.S. alliance is a modernization that strengthens security and reinforces the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture."
The administration of Donald Trump is demanding the adjustment of U.S. forces in Korea and an increase in defense spending, known as "modernization of the alliance," to jointly respond to threats from China and Russia. A key issue for this summit will be how much of this content will be specified in the negotiations. If a joint statement is issued, it is highly likely to present a basic direction such as "keeping China in mind" and "strengthening regional security."
Deputy Minister Wi noted that "the increase in North Korean nuclear and missile threats and the war in Ukraine are increasing regional instability," emphasizing, "There is a need to modernize the alliance in accordance with our national interests." He explained the meaning of modernization sought by our government as "strengthening the combined defense posture between South Korea and the U.S., making our security stronger, and contributing more to enhance our military capabilities."
◇"Concerns over the requirement for U.S. equity" — "We have not received subsidies yet"
Regarding reports that the U.S. government demanded equity from companies such as Samsung Electronics in exchange for semiconductor subsidies, Deputy Minister Wi responded, "I don't think this issue is directly related to the preparation process for the summit." He stated, "The U.S. has begun to implement a policy of asking for something in exchange during the establishment of its semiconductor policy, but I believe it does not apply to us. Domestic corporations have not yet received subsidies," he said. He added, "In the future, if they actually receive subsidies, it could become an issue, but it will not become a pressing issue right now," describing it as "a characteristic policy of the Trump administration."