A Korean graduate school specializing in nuclear studies has signed a cooperation deal with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency to train experts in atomic power, the school said Saturday.

Under the agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will recommend students from member nations seeking to build atomic power plants to study at the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) in South Korea's southeastern coastal city of Ulsan, according to a KINGS official.

Students admitted to KINGS will receive hands-on training in English.

"We are pleased to have entered into a cooperation agreement with the IAEA, which has contributed to the prosperity of mankind through its peaceful use of nuclear energy," said Park Goon-cherl, the president of KINGS.

"We expect to raise the quality of education at KINGS and contribute to the safe and effective operation of atomic power plants in our country through close cooperation with the IAEA."

South Korea currently has 21 nuclear reactors in operation and seven more under construction.

The country also seeks to become a top exporter of atomic power plants. In 2009, it won a $20 billion deal to build four nuclear reactors in the United Arab Emirates. (Yonhap)