IAEA confirms Korea notified intent to consult on safeguards arrangement for nuclear subs
Summary
Korea has formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency of its intention to begin consultations on safeguards for envisioned nuclear-powered submarines. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the talks are under Article 14 of Korea’s comprehensive safeguards agreement and that Seoul has reiterated its commitment to the NPT, the CSA, and the Additional Protocol. Korea says it is proceeding through the necessary procedures transparently. The government aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and deploy it in the late 2030s.
Key Facts
- Grossi said Korea has formally notified the IAEA Secretariat of its intention to start consultations on an arrangement under Article 14 of its comprehensive safeguards agreement.
- Article 14 allows a country to use nuclear material for non-nuclear military purposes, such as nuclear-powered naval propulsion, under an arrangement with the IAEA.
- Seoul has reiterated its commitment to fulfill its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the CSA, and the Additional Protocol.
- Korea aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and deploy it with the Navy in the late 2030s.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi looks on at the start of a Board of Governors Meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Monday (local time). AFP-Yonhap
Korea has formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention to begin consultations on a safeguards arrangement for envisioned nuclear-powered submarines, the agency chief has said.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi made the remarks during the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna on Monday (local time), as Korea pushes to build conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines following security agreements reached at a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in October last year.
According to a statement provided by his office, Grossi said, with regard to nuclear-powered submarines, Korea "has formally notified the Secretariat of its intention to start consultations with the Agency on an arrangement pursuant to Article 14 of its comprehensive safeguards agreement (CSA)."
Article 14 of the CSA allows a country to use nuclear material for non-nuclear military purposes, such as nuclear-powered naval propulsion, under an arrangement with the IAEA.
Seoul has "reiterated its commitment to fulfill its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the CSA and the Additional Protocol" and has provided the agency with the relevant declarations, Grossi said, adding he looks "forward to the continuation of our consultations in the same spirit of transparency."
Under the NPT, non-nuclear-weapon states are prohibited from using nuclear material for nuclear weapons purposes and are required to accept IAEA safeguards to verify that their nuclear activities remain peaceful. Korea has a CSA with the IAEA as part of its nonproliferation obligations.
"We are proceeding with the necessary procedures to demonstrate that we are taking a transparent approach," an official of Seoul's foreign ministry said.
At a press conference in June, Grossi said a solid agreement between Korea and the IAEA should alleviate any proliferation concerns related to Seoul's nuclear-powered submarine project. He added discussions between the two sides on an Article 14 arrangement were at an early stage.
Korea has set a goal of launching its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and deploying it with the Navy in the late 2030s.
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