Nuclear Energy Institute commends Obama administration for agreement with South Korea

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) fully supports President Barack Obama's efforts in creating a cooperative agreement to support nuclear energy exports through bilateral interaction with South Korea.

“The U.S. nuclear energy industry and manufacturers and suppliers of commercial nuclear technologies commend the Obama administration for initialing the cooperative agreement with South Korea that will advance commercial nuclear trade between the two nations," Daniel Lipman, NEI's vice president for supplier and international programs, said. "The timely completion of the agreement will bolster our longstanding bilateral relationship. It is critical for the U.S. to both compete in the growing global marketplace and maintain its influence over global nonproliferation and international nuclear safety."

Lipman said South Korea has been a longstanding commercial nuclear energy trading partner with the U.S. A number of benefits have been realized through the partnership, Lipman said.

“Extensive cooperation in commercial nuclear energy between the U.S. and South Korea is a pillar of our countries’ strategic partnership," he said. "The economic benefits include U.S. exports to South Korea, U.S. exports to third countries to supply South Korean projects and joint ventures, imports of materials from South Korea to supply projects in the U.S. and a variety of joint R&D (research and development) projects."

The agreement between both countries requires congressional approval.