▲ Rim Kap-soo, South Korea's representative for nuclear cooperation with the United States, speaks at the first interagency meeting on expected negotiations over civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing on Jan. 9, 2026, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ Officials of South Korea's interagency group for nuclear cooperation with the United States pose for a photo during their inaugural meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Jan. 9, 2026, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ President Lee Jae Myung (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of their summit talks on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in South Korea's Gyeongju, in this Oct. 29, 2025, file photo. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-US-nuclear cooperation

(LEAD) S. Korea launches interagency team for U.S. talks on civil uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing

(ATTN: ADDS paras 6-8 with details from meeting outcome; CHANGES photos)

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea launched an interagency team Friday to coordinate efforts ahead of anticipated negotiations with the United States on its bid to secure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful use, officials said.

The pangovernment consultative group comes as Washington has given Seoul the green light to pursue uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful purposes following the October summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in Gyeongju.

In the joint fact sheet outlining the summit agreements, the U.S. committed to supporting South Korea for the process that will lead to civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for civil uses.

Rim Kap-soo, government representative for South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation at the foreign ministry, led the inaugural closed-door meeting, joined by officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Also participating in the meeting were officials from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control.

Friday's meeting focused on taking stock of key points and tasks regarding the issue of enrichment and reprocessing, and discussion plans for expected negotiations with the U.S., the ministry said in a readout.

"The ministry will regularly hold director general-level interagency task force meetings and working-level consultations to review in phases key issues regarding the enrichment and reprocessing," it said.

"We will take a whole-of-government approach to foster domestic and international conditions for enrichment and reprocessing capabilities for peaceful and commercial purposes," the ministry said.

South Korea is seeking to amend its bilateral nuclear energy pact with the U.S. to obtain standing prior approval for low-level uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing, aiming to secure a stable fuel supply for commercial nuclear power plants.

Under the existing 123 Agreement, South Korea may enrich uranium only to below 20 percent with written U.S. consent. Reprocessing spent fuel likewise requires U.S. approval, meaning Seoul cannot carry out these activities independently.

Based on the interagency coordination, South Korea is expected to begin negotiations with the U.S. on a potential revision of the agreement. A foreign ministry official said the two sides are in talks to hold the first round of negotiations, with details yet to be decided.

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