What did Korea and France agree to do on nuclear energy at their 27th joint coordinating committee?

They agreed to expand cooperation on next-generation nuclear reactors and the nuclear energy supply chain. The discussions covered 21 areas, including nuclear energy research, nuclear safety and the nuclear industry.

Why did Korea and France establish a joint coordinating committee on nuclear energy?

The committee followed a 1981 bilateral agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The countries have organized the committee since 1982 to discuss nuclear cooperation.

How are the Korea-France nuclear cooperation plans connected to their bilateral summits?

The countries’ agreement to expand cooperation on next-generation reactors and the nuclear energy supply chain followed memorandums of understanding signed during bilateral summits in April and September. The committee meeting was held in the year marking 140 years of diplomatic relations.

Korea, France hold joint coordinating committee on nuclear energy in Saclay

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Summary

Korea and France began their 27th joint coordinating committee on nuclear energy in Saclay, France, this week, with the two-day meeting ending Friday (local time). The countries discussed cooperation across 21 areas, including nuclear research, safety and industry. They agreed to expand work on next-generation reactors and the nuclear energy supply chain, following memorandums of understanding signed at bilateral summits in April and September.

Key Facts

The committee has been organized since 1982, after the countries signed a bilateral agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in 1981.
The meeting took place as Korea and France marked the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said the committee would help strengthen the cooperative framework and advance nuclear cooperation.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 13, 2026 7:29 am KST

A sign of Ministry of Science and ICT at its headquarters in Sejong / Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

Korea and France commenced their 27th joint coordinating committee on nuclear energy in France's southwestern region of Saclay this week and discussed nuclear technology cooperation, Seoul's science ministry said Friday.

The two-day event ending Friday (local time) comes as the two nations mark their 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, the Ministry of Science and ICT added.

The event has been organized since 1982, following the signing of a bilateral agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in 1981.

During the meeting, Korea and France discussed 21 areas of technological cooperation in fields such as nuclear energy research, nuclear safety and the nuclear industry.

The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in next-generation nuclear reactors, as well as in the nuclear energy supply chain, following related memorandums of understanding signed during two bilateral summits this year, held in April and September.

"We will use the joint coordinating committee as an opportunity to further strengthen the cooperative framework between the two countries ... to drive new progress in nuclear cooperation," the science ministry was quoted as saying.

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