Washington: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has called for U.S. congressional support to advance the bilateral agreement regarding civil uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding, the foreign ministry announced Friday. Cho made this appeal during a meeting with U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Andy Kim (D-NJ), as South Korea endeavors to reassure the U.S. of its commitment to implementing summit agreements on trade and security.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho's visit to the United States follows U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to increase reciprocal tariffs on South Korea, citing a sluggish legislative process needed to fulfill Seoul's $350 million investment pledge. This warning has fueled concerns that trade deal friction may hinder progress on key security agreements, including Seoul's efforts to gain rights for civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing, as well as acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.
Cho informed the senators that the joint fact sheet outlining these agreements, developed after summits between Trump and President Lee Jae Myung, offers a "new blueprint" for the South Korea-U.S. alliance to enhance national interests and prosperity for both nations. The foreign ministry emphasized that Minister Cho specifically sought active congressional support to ensure cooperation in strategic sectors like nuclear power, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding, which would enhance strategic coordination between the two countries.
Senator Kaine pledged full support for the projects, including nuclear cooperation, emphasizing the significance of stronger bilateral collaboration amid a challenging international environment. Senator Merkley anticipated detailed discussions with South Korea on nonproliferation issues related to the civil uranium enrichment and nuclear-powered submarine agreement, considering South Korea's security challenges amid North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
In response, Cho reiterated South Korea's dedication to nonproliferation obligations, emphasizing the clear distinction between commercial nuclear power and military purposes. Senator Cotton acknowledged ongoing investments by South Korean companies in the U.S. and expressed expectations for potential cooperation in civil nuclear power and nuclear-powered submarines. Representative Kim committed to facilitating swift progress in the joint fact sheet, stressing that recent issues should not compromise the mid- to long-term strategic interests between the allies.