S. Korea, IAEA discuss cooperation in verifying N. Korea's nuclear programs

▲ Kweon Ki-hwan (R), South Korea's deputy foreign minister for global and multilateral affairs, poses with Massimo Aparo, head of the Department of Safeguards at the International Atomic Energy Agency, in Seoul on Nov. 8, 2024, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-IAEA

S. Korea, IAEA discuss cooperation in verifying N. Korea's nuclear programs

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday discussed cooperation regarding the IAEA's readiness to verify North Korea's nuclear programs and other safeguard issues, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

The high-level policy consultation took place between Kweon Ki-hwan, deputy foreign minister for global and multilateral affairs, and Massimo Aparo, head of the IAEA's safeguards department earlier in the day in Seoul, the ministry said in a release.

During the talks, they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the IAEA's preparedness to verify North Korea's nuclear programs.

They also evaluated the implementation of IAEA safeguards in South Korea.

South Korea and the IAEA have held the strategic policy talks annually since 2013 as a channel for discussing safeguard issues and exploring ways to further enhance cooperation between the two sides.

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