Full text of Seoul Communique

We, the leaders, gathered in Seoul on March 26-27 renew the political commitments generated from the 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit to work toward strengthening nuclear security, reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism, and preventing terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorised actors from acquiring nuclear materials. Nuclear terrorism continues to be one of the most challenging threats to international security. Defeating this threat requires strong national measures and international cooperation given its potential global political, economic, social, and psychological consequences.


We reaffirm our shared goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.


Committed to seeking a safer world for all, we also all share the objective of nuclear security. We recognise that the Nuclear Security Summit is a valuable process at the highest political level, supporting our joint call to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years. In this regard, we welcome the substantive progress being made on the political commitments of participating States since the Washington Summit.  


We stress the fundamental responsibility of States, consistent with their respective national and international obligations, to maintain effective security of all nuclear material, which includes nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control, and to prevent non-state actors from acquiring such materials and from obtaining information or technology required to use them for malicious purposes. We likewise recognise the fundamental responsibility of States to maintain effective security of other radioactive materials.


We reaffirm that measures to strengthen nuclear security will not hamper the rights of States to develop and utilise nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.


Noting the essential role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in facilitating international cooperation and supporting the efforts of States to fulfill their nuclear security responsibilities, we further stress the importance of regional and international cooperation, and encourage States to promote cooperation with and outreach activities to international partners.


Noting the Fukushima accident of March 2011 and the nexus between nuclear security and nuclear safety, we consider that sustained efforts are required to address the issues of nuclear safety and nuclear security in a coherent manner that will help ensure the safe and secure peaceful uses of nuclear energy.


We will continue to use the Washington Communiqué and work plan as a basis for our future work in advancing our nuclear security objectives. At this Seoul Summit, we agree that we will make every possible effort to achieve further progress in the following important areas.
Global Nuclear Security Architecture


We recognise the importance of multilateral instruments that address nuclear security, such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism [ Images ]. We therefore encourage the universal adherence to these conventions. We urge states in a position to do so to accelerate their domestic approval of the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM, seeking to bring the Amendment into force by 2014. We acknowledge the important role of the United Nations in promoting nuclear security, support the UN Security Council Resolutions 1540 and 1977 in strengthening global nuclear security, and welcome the extension of its mandate. We will strive to use the IAEA Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities document and related Nuclear Security Series documents, and reflect them into national practice.


We recognise the contributions since the 2010 Summit of international initiatives and processes such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and Global Partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, within their respective mandates and memberships. We welcome the wider participation in the GICNT and the Global Partnership and value its extension beyond 2012. Noting the importance of strengthening coordination and complementarity among nuclear security activities, we welcome the proposal of the IAEA to organise an international conference in 2013. We welcome contributions from the industry, academia, institutes and civil society that promote nuclear security.


Role of the IAEA


We reaffirm the essential responsibility and central role of the IAEA in strengthening the international nuclear security framework, and recognize the value of the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan 2010-2013. We will work to ensure that the IAEA continues to have the appropriate structure, resources and expertise needed to support the implementation of nuclear security objectives. To this end, we encourage States in a position to do so and the nuclear industry to increase voluntary contributions to the IAEA's Nuclear Security Fund, as well as in-kind contributions. We also encourage continued IAEA activities to assist, upon request, national efforts to establish and enhance nuclear security infrastructure through its various support programs, and encourage States to make use of these IAEA resources.


Nuclear materials


Recognising that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium require special precautions, we reemphasise the importance of appropriately securing, accounting for and consolidating these materials. We also encourage States to consider the safe, secure and timely removal and disposition of nuclear materials from facilities no longer using them, as appropriate, and consistent with national security considerations and development objectives.


We recognise that the development, within the framework of the IAEA, of options for national policies on HEU management will advance nuclear security objectives. We encourage States to take measures to minimise the use of HEU, including through the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium fuel, where technically and economically feasible, taking into account the need for assured supplies of medical isotopes, and encourage States in a position to do so, by the end of 2013, to announce voluntary specific actions intended to minimize the use of HEU.  We also encourage States to promote the use of LEU fuels and targets in commercial applications such as isotope production, and in this regard, welcome relevant international cooperation on high-density LEU fuel to support the conversion of research and test reactors.


Radioactive sources


Taking into account that radioactive sources are widely used and can be vulnerable to malicious acts, we urge States to secure these materials, while bearing in mind their uses in industrial, medical, agricultural and research applications. To this end, we encourage States in a position to do so to continue to work towards the process of ratifying or acceding to the ICSANT; reflect into national practices relevant IAEA nuclear security series documents, the IAEA code of conduct on the safety and security of radioactive sources and its supplementary document on the IAEA guidance on the import and export of radioactive sources; and establish national registers of high-activity radioactive sources where required.  We also commit to work closely with the IAEA to encourage cooperation on advanced technologies and systems, share best practices on the management of radioactive sources, and provide technical assistance to States upon their request. In addition, we encourage continued national efforts and international cooperation to recover lost, missing or stolen sources and to maintain control over disused sources.


Nuclear security and safety


Acknowledging that safety measures and security measures have in common the aim of protecting human life and health and the environment, we affirm that nuclear security and nuclear safety measures should be designed, implemented and managed in nuclear facilities in a coherent and synergistic manner. We also affirm the need to maintain effective emergency preparedness, response and mitigation capabilities in a manner that addresses both nuclear security and nuclear safety.  In this regard, we welcome the efforts of the IAEA to organise meetings to provide relevant recommendations on the interface between nuclear security and nuclear safety so that neither security nor safety is compromised. We also welcome the convening of the high level meeting on nuclear safety and security initiated by the UN secretary-general, held in New York on 22 September 2011. Noting that the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials also includes spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, we encourage States to consider establishing appropriate plans for the management of these materials.


Transportation security


We will continue efforts to enhance the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials while in domestic and international transport, and encourage States to share best practices and cooperate in acquiring the necessary technologies to this end.  Recognising the importance of a national layered defense against the loss or theft of nuclear and other radioactive materials, we encourage the establishment of effective national nuclear material inventory management and domestic tracking mechanisms, where required, that enable States to take appropriate measures to recover lost and stolen materials.


Combating illicit trafficking


We underscore the need to develop national capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and prosecute illicit nuclear trafficking. In this regard, we encourage action-oriented coordination among national capacities to combat illicit trafficking, consistent with national laws and regulations. We will work to enhance technical capabilities in the field of national inspection and detection of nuclear and other radioactive materials at the borders. Noting that several countries have passed export control laws to regulate nuclear transfers, we encourage further utilization of legal, intelligence and financial tools to effectively prosecute offenses, as appropriate and consistent with national laws. In addition, we encourage States to participate in the IAEA illicit trafficking database programme and to provide necessary information relating to nuclear and other radioactive materials outside of regulatory control.  We will work to strengthen cooperation among States and encourage them to share information, consistent with national regulations, on individuals involved in trafficking offenses of nuclear and other radioactive materials, including through Interpol's radiological and nuclear terrorism prevention unit and the world customs organisation.


Nuclear forensics


We recognise that nuclear forensics can be an effective tool in determining the origin of detected nuclear and other radioactive materials and in providing evidence for the prosecution of acts of illicit trafficking and malicious uses. In this regard, we encourage States to work with one another, as well as with the IAEA, to develop and enhance nuclear forensics capabilities. In this regard, they may combine the skills of both traditional and nuclear forensics through the development of a common set of definitions and standards, undertake research and share information and best practices, as appropriate. We also underscore the importance of international cooperation both in technology and human resource development to advance nuclear forensics.


Nuclear security culture


Recognising that investment in human capacity building is fundamental to promoting and sustaining a strong nuclear security culture, we encourage States to share best practices and build national capabilities, including through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. At the national level, we encourage all stakeholders, including the government, regulatory bodies, industry, academia, non-governmental organisations and the media, to fully commit to enhancing security culture and to maintain robust communication and coordination of activities. We also encourage States to promote human resource development through education and training.  In this regard, we welcome the establishment of Centers of Excellence and other nuclear security training and support centers since the Washington Summit, and encourage the establishment of new centers. Furthermore, we welcome the effort by the IAEA to promote networking among such centers to share experience and lessons learned and to optimise available resources. We also note the holding of the Nuclear Industry Summit and the Nuclear Security Symposium on the eve of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.


Information security


We recognise the importance of preventing non-state actors from obtaining information, technology or expertise required to acquire or use nuclear materials for malicious purposes, or to disrupt information technology based control systems at nuclear facilities. We therefore encourage States to: continue to develop and strengthen national and facility-level measures for the effective management of such information, including information on the procedures and protocols to protect nuclear materials and facilities; to support relevant capacity building projects; and to enhance cyber security measures concerning nuclear facilities, consistent with the IAEA General Conference Resolution on Nuclear Security and bearing in mind the International Telecommunication Union Resolution 174. We also encourage States to: promote a security culture that emphasises the need to protect nuclear security related information; engage with scientific, industrial and academic communities in the pursuit of common solutions; and support the IAEA in producing and disseminating improved guidance on protecting information.


International cooperation


We encourage all States to enhance their physical protection of and accounting system for nuclear materials, emergency preparedness and response capabilities and relevant legal and regulatory framework. In this context, we encourage the international community to increase international cooperation and to provide assistance, upon request, to countries in need on a bilateral, regional, and multilateral level, as appropriate. In particular, we welcome the intent by the IAEA to continue to lead efforts to assist States, upon request. We also reaffirm the need for various public diplomacy and outreach efforts to enhance public awareness of actions taken and capacities built to address threats to nuclear security, including the threat of nuclear terrorism.


We will continue to make voluntary and substantive efforts toward strengthening nuclear security and implementing political commitments made in this regard. We welcome the information on the progress made in the field of nuclear security since the Washington Summit provided by the participants at this Seoul Summit. The next Nuclear Security Summit will be held in (the Netherlands) in 2014.

The second Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) is being held 26-27 March in the capital of South Korea, Seoul.

The summit sees a gathering of 53 countries and international Organisations to evaluate achievements and reinforce implementation of the Work Plan of the first Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington, 2010.

This summit seeks to measure progress in efforts to strengthen global nuclear security. It will also provide the opportunity to explore possible additional priorities such as the security of radioactive sources and information security related to nuclear activities, relevant to the overall objective of achieving the highest level of nuclear security.

The NSS will review in particular the progress made in securing all vulnerable nuclear materials within four years.

The EU is represented at the meeting by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

What is nuclear security?

Nuclear security is often defined as a series of pre-emptive measures introduced to prevent internal and/or external threats directly or indirectly related to nuclear materials, radioactive substances, relevant facilities or other associated activities.

In the case of imminent threat, it consists of countermeasures to detect, delay and prevent illegal acts, as well as administrative and technical measures to minimize the damage caused by accidents.

Historic milestones in the evolution of the nuclear security issue

In the late 1960s, cross-border transfers of nuclear materials increased with the rising use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Nuclear security aimed to ensure the stability in the supply of nuclear fuel by preventing the illegal seizure of nuclear materials in transit.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, managing existing nuclear materials and facilities within the former Soviet territory emerged as a priority issue, with an emphasis on disarmament and on the protection of and the reduction in the number of nuclear materials and facilities.

Realizing Peace by Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

The Seoul nuclear security summit seeks to translate the political pledges of the world leaders into concrete action plans.

Global peace and security are critical to achieve global econo-mic prosperity; in the absence of a secured environment, economic well-being would be unattainable, and vice versa. Seoul has extended its unstinted support and cooperation in augmenting global efforts in addressing these two core concerns.

While the Seoul G20 summit in November 2010 achieved tangible progress in scripting a global economic recovery, the Seoul nuclear security summit will deliberate on how to make the world safe from nuclear and radiological terrorism. It is our hope that the summit will contribute towards realising humanity's dream of a peaceful world by steering the global focus beyond security towards peace.

Government's Focus on Introducing Korea in COEX

<Nuclear Security> Government's Focus on Introducing Korea in COEX

COEX International Media Center in Samsung-dong, where the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit is being held, is running 5 public information museums on the theme of Nuclear Security, Seoul, Information and Communications Technology(ICT), Cultural Tourism, National Brand, and etc. to introduce Korea.

What attracts foreign reporters the most is the ICT public information museum which is arranged in middle of the media center.

Korea Communications Commission is running this public information museum on the theme of "With SMART KOREA" and providing opportunities to experience advanced technology and equpments to off Korea as a powerful country of the IT industry.

Finland reporter who tried the IT equipment said that Korea IT technology is surprising just as he have heard, especially the educational smart robot.

In National Brand Museum, you can find Korean style such as traditional Korean paper Hanji, low wooden bench, and Kkotdam, as well as props such as the four precious things of the study and royal wedding accessories.

2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Official Schedule Guidance

March 26(Mon)

 16:30 ~ 18:30 Welcoming Reception (120min)

18:30~ 20:00 Summit Business Banquet (90min)

 - Evaluating the Progress of Nuclear Security since Washington Summit
 * 18:30 ~ 20:30 Spouse Bamquet (National Museum of Korea)



March 27(Tue)

09:00 ~ 11:30 Summit 1st Session (150min)
 - State Measure & International Cooperation to Strengthen Nuclear Security (1) -


11:30 ~ 12:00 Summit Memorial Photographing (30min)

12:30 ~ 14:00 Summit Business Luncheon (90min)
 - Correlation between Nuclear Security and Nuclear Energy Safety -
 *12:00 ~ 13:10 Spouse  Luncheon (Blue House Presidential Restaurant)
  **13:30 ~ 14:30, Spouse Cultural Activity (Blue House Reception Hall)

14:30 ~ 16:30 Summit 2nd Session (120min)
 - State Measure & International Cooperation to Strengthen Nuclear Security (2) -

 17:00 ~ 17:30 Chairman's Press Interview

19:00 ~ 21:00 Special Banquet and Cultural Performance(19:00 ~ 19:30, Reception)

Squid Alien's 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Travel Journal

Q&A with the UN Secretary General-[6]

In what direction, do you think the Nuclear Security Summit should be developed?

▲ As I mentioned before, the Seoul Summit signifies as the turning point. It will play the bridge role in looking back at the past and prepare for the future.

The discussion regarding how the nuclear security issues after 2014 should be handled, is in progress at the Nuclear Security Summit. I hope that the importance of nuclear security and safety emerges within the terms of the Non Proliferation Treaty, through this Summit.

Q&A with the UN Secretary General-[5]

Will there be discussions regarding North Korean nuclear issues at the Seoul Summit?

▲ The North Korean nuclear issue is not an official agenda of this Summit because the Nuclear Security Summit is not meant to be focused on particular nation's nonproliferation issue. But since it is the summit where the leaders from all over the world participate, there could be opportunity for mutual discussions on North Korean nuclear issue.

Q&A with the UN Secretary General-[4]

While North Korea has been absent at the Nuclear Security Summit,  does U.N. have any plans of taking the lead in solving North Korean nuclear issues or inducing their participation?

▲ It is hard to expect for North Korea's participation at the Seoul Summit, considering their response to the invitation and their internal situations.

It is welcomed that there had been an agreement between U.S. and North Korea, since South Korea and U.S. agreed to implement the urged pretreatments for setting conditions of six-party talks. The important point is that terms of the agreement should be implemented faithfully.

Q&A with the UN Secretary General-[3]

What agenda will U.N. suggest at the Seoul Summit?

▲ We are planning to suggest the action plans for strengthening nuclear security and safety at multilevel as did at the Washington Summit.

We cannot reveal the details before the commencement of the Summit, but it is necessary to strengthen financial sanctions to prevent Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Nuclear Terrorism. U.N. Security Council resolution is in the trend of strengthening financial sanctions. There is need of active interest and cooperation.
If the primal cause of fissionable materials such as Highly Enriched Uranium and Plutonium, is not cut off, all the other measures will only be half actions. At the UN conference on disarmament, negotiations on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty have not even been started. Therefore, we will also make a suggestion regarding this situation.

We will emphasize the role of 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council who have more responsibilities on nuclear issues, and also make a detailed suggestion to enhance universality and implementation of important international treaties in the fields of nuclear security and safety.

Q&A with the UN Secretary General-[2]

What do you expect the results to be achieved through the Seoul Summit?

▲ I think that there will be achievements in 3 fields.

Firstly, capability of each nation will be strengthened. There will be examination of each nation's implementation report on the management of Highly Enriched Uranium and Plutonium, and their physical defense measures taken at the nuclear facilities. Issues regarding reinforcement of the management of radioactive substances will also be discussed in depth.

Second achievement will be the reinforcement of the system of nuclear security and safety at multilevel. Especially it is essential to make efforts to strenghten the fuctions of IAEA. Signing of agreements such as Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty is also an urgent task. At the Seoul Summit, detailed action plans at multilevel are to be suggested.

Last of all, the cooperation of government and private sectors which is necessary for strengthening nuclear security and safety, will be enhanced. At the time of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, there was a wide gap between the views of government and private sectors regarding safety of nuclear plants. Considering this point, Korean government's effort by hosting Nuclear Industry Summit and Nuclear Security Symposium before the Seoul Summit has very meaningful.

Q&A with the UN Secretary General-[1]

What is the significance of 2nd Nuclear Security Summit to be held at Seoul?

▲ The Nuclear Security Summit had 4 years of time after the 1st summit held in Washington in 2010. Therefore the Seoul Summit signifies as the turning point of process. It will be a forum where the leaders of 53 nations and 4 international organizations including U.N. find new solutions for the dissatisfied fields after evaluating the results of the Washington Summit.

Nuclear Security Summit Recent Activity Video

10. In Myung-dong(26th 14:00) and Insadong(27th 14:00)

In Myung-dong(26th 14:00) and Insadong(27th 14:00), fun traditional corrales that shows our traditional melody will be played. Traditional temple such as BongeunsaㆍJeondeongsa will run 'Temple Stay' to give the opportunity to experience traditional temple culture.

9. 'The World of Korean Traditional Music' Performance

At National Gugak(Korean Traditional Music) Center, 'The World of Korean Traditional Music' performance will be held from 27th(Tue) to 28th(Wed) at 19:30, showing the spirit of Korean traditional musical performance.
In this performance, more than 100 members of National Gugak Center's classical music band will perform Korean traditional instrumental ensemble piece 'Yeongsanhoesang', which have been handed down for more than 500 years.

8 A traditional culture event, where you can admire beautiful ancient palaces and traditional korean culture including Kyonghoeru party, Changdeok Palace moonlight walking, Deoksu Palace appreciation for the arts, will be held at the palace.

ㅇ From 28th(Wed) to 30th(Fri) at 8:00pm on Kyonghoeru in Kyongbokkung, a night time traditional culture show 'Kyonghoeru party' will be held. The 'Kyonghoeru' will represent the architectural beatifulness of Kyonghoeru with a fantastic night scene, which received good evaluation last year which was first being held. It's high quality performance combining korean traditional song, dance and instrument that made a fantastic atmosphere.

 ㅇ At 27th(Tue) 19:00, 'Changdeok Palace moodlight walking' program will be held. It's a program for ancient palace visits providing historical, cultural, scenic experience.

 ㅇ At 7:00 pm of 24th(Sat) to 25th(Sun) 'Deoksu Palace appreciation for the arts' where about 20 people including people with intangible cultural treasure will be held at Deoksugung Jeonggwan-heon.

7. 'Korean Culture & Tourism Promotion Exhibition'

Inside COEX, where Nuclear Security Summit will be held, 'Korean Culture & Tourism Promotion Exhibition' will be open for the public from 25th(Sun) to 28th(Wed). People will be able to directly experience Korean culture and see Korean relics, traditional handicrafts and art work.
ㅇ At 'Korean Culture & Tourism Promotion Exhibition', one can try Hanbok on, experience medical tourism, take a look at the virtual museum and listen to K-Pop.
ㅇ Also, 10 Korean and Japanese artists' works, which received attention through nuclear art project 'Communion', will be put on display. These includes Media(Jae-ha Ryu, Yong-baek Lee), Painting(Se-hyun Lee), Ceramics & Performance(Soo-kyung Lee), Needlework(Kyung-ah Hahm), Photo(Ju-ha Jung, Ono Tadashi, Sung-pil Han) and Objet(Kobayashi Humico, Tsubaki Noboru, Ultra Factory), covering whole branches of visual arts.

6. Event Preparations for Husbands/Wives of Leaders Who Attend Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

- Organizing high quality programs which are comprised of up-to-date classics and world-sweeping Korean Wave. Especially, Korean young artists will participate and make those program dynamic and fascinating.
- Husbands/Wives of leaders will see drawings submitted to International Children's Peace Art Festivial which commemorates Nuclear Security Summit. Also, they will watch Korean young musicians' classic concert.
- Inside Sangchoonjae, which is located inside the Blue House and shows the beauty of Korean-style house in harmony with the nature, they will be served Korean traditional food. This can be a chance to promote and globalize Korean food.
Thereafter, at the reception hall, Hanbok(Korean traditional clothes) performance and other K-Pop performances will take place in order to enhance their understanding of Korean wave, while increasing the level of closeness.

5. Airport security heightened to the highest level for the Nuclear Security Summit

With 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit(26~27th) ahead, the security level of Korea's major airports will be heightened to the highest level.
On 15th, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs announced that for securing safety of airports and airplanes, the security levels of Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Cheongju airports will be raised to 'Orange'(alert level) between 19th to 22nd, and further raised to 'Red' between 23rd to 27th.
The airport security level is classified into 5 levels such as Green→Blue→Yellow→Orange→Red.
As a result of heightened security level, the time taken for the security check will be increased because of stricted check for passengers, baggages, luggages, air cargoes, etc.
For this reason, at the major aiports, there will be additional placements of security check personnel and guides to minimize the inconvenience of the passengers.
Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs requested for public cooperation saying, "There will be inconvenience of passengers because of stricted security check, but it is necessary measure to be taken for the international event where leaders of 57 nations(including international organizations) will participate"

4. The participating leaders of Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, 'experience the Korean Wave'(E-Daily)

Special event will be provided to the Leaders participating in Seoul Nuclear Security Summit between 26th to 27th, where they can experience Korean foods and performances.
According to the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Preparatory Secretariat, the president Lee Myung-bak and the first lady will invite 150 people including the presidents and the first ladies of 30 nations, the representatives of international organizations and the senior entourage, and host special dinner and cultural performance.
The cultural event is prepared for the leaders and the representatives who will stay for one more day after the Summit so that they can experience Korean foods and Korean traditional performances in comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.
Especially for the dinner, a formal dinner with the specialties from all around Korea will be prepared with the theme of Spring. After the dinner, Korean traditional performance will be performed in the backyard of ancient palace providing natural setting and a cozy pavilion, so that all the presidents and the first ladies could feel that they are invited in the Korean traditional garden.
The performance will start by 'Peace Song' sung by the honorary ambassador and singer Park Jeong-hyun, and followed by Korean traditional music 'Su Je Cheon' with Korean court dance. Korean traditional wind instrument 'Dae geum' and Salpuri, mournful Korean traditional sounds 'Sinawi' and Hanryangmu, master's gayageum play, etc will also be performed.
Staffs of the preparatory secretariat said with expectation, "The presidents and the first ladies of participating nations will experience dignified essence of out traditional culture"

3. 'Nuclear Safety' agenda(Segye Times)

'Nuclear Safety', differentiated from 'Nuclear Security', is an activity to protect human race and environment from radiological hazards due to natural disasters or technical malfunction. But since the Fukushima Nuclear Accident in last March, the possibilities of threats in the nuclear facilities by terrorists were noticed, which resulted in the spread of awareness of the correlation between Nuclear Security and Safety.
The government will deal with Nuclear Safety as main agenda in this Summit. It will be dealt during the luncheon on 27th, the second day of the Summit. The authority said "The correlation of Nuclear Security and Safety will be discussed and selected as an agenda". However, the Gori Nuclear Accident and the attemp to conceal it, have ashamed the government's plan which is to set an example of nuclear-utilizing nation. An high level official said on 15th, "The Gori Nuclear Accident and the attempt to conceal it have dishonored our nation and the government's plans have reached a deadlock"

The Seoul Communiqué to Discard Nuclear Substance

The main goal of the Nuclear Security Summit is to prevent nuclear terrorism by safely managing and removing nuclear substances such as highly enriched uranium(HEU) and plutonium. Today, enough HEU and plutonium to create 126,500 nuclear weapons exist in this world. According to IAEA, 1800~2000 reports of stolenㆍmissingㆍaccroachingㆍtrafficing of nuclear substances have been made since 1993. Bargaining agents of the summit agreed on minimizing weapon-grade nuclear substances and strenghthening physical protection of nuclear facilities as well as blocking illegal business of nuclear substances. This will be accepted as a Seoul Communiqué on 27th. The most important part is minimizing HEU in the private sector. According to Nuclear Security Summit Planning Team, Kazakhstan has 10t, Canada 1500kg, Japan 1200~1400kg, Germany 950kg, and other non-nuclear nations 16~17t of HEU in the private sector. It takes 25kg of HEU to create 1 nuclear weapon, so if all HEU in private sector is removed, 640~680 potential nuclear weapon is being destroyed. Argentina, Australia, Czech, and 7 other nations who promissed to discard all HEU in the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit Washington have kept their promises. US and Russia each reduced 7t and 48t of HEU. Korea is expecting that more nuclear substance will be removed from this summit.

Expecting the Summit to act as a catalyst to North Korean nuclear talks

This summit is expected to get the North Koran nuclear talk moving. North Korean nuclear issue is not an official agenda in the summit; however, since the summit is taking place is the Korean Peninsula, there is a great possibility that Norh Korean nuclear issue will be dealt in one form or another. Ban Ki-moon UN secretary general said "Since world leaders are participating in the summit, North Korean nuclear problem will surface." Some are discussing ways to indicate one's stance after Korea-US bilateral meeting. As the participating nations of the summit welcomes North Korea's denuclearizing preliminary steps and urge North Korea to take forward-looking measures, there is an analysis that six-party nuclear talks will soon resume.

Preparation Activities for 2012 NSS

'Tree of Hope' Event for 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

2012 Nuclear Security Summit Site Visit Event

To Successfully Host the Summit, Which Part Are You Focusing On?

"The government is striving to make this summit 'The Summit with the public'. Hereafter, we will notify people and help them recognize the relevance of nuclear security to our daily lives. Also, I think our ability of hosting large scale global summits have been proved by successfully hosting G-20 Summit(2010) and Busan Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness(2011). We will discuss on and on to the end with other participating countries for more fruitful result.

What Kind of Effects Can We Expect From Hosting 2012 Nuclear Security Summit?

"Korea played an important role for the global economy by hosting 2010 G-20 Summit successfully. Hosting this Nuclear Security Summit, which is one of the most high-ranking summit in the world, means that now Korea is also playing a leading role in the field of global security. By playing an important role in the process of establishing new solutions to problems which global society now faces, Korea will be able to strenthen its diplomacy, and ultimately its national prestige will soar."

How Much Binding Forces Do Those NSS-Decided Articles Have In Each Nation?

Since those agreements in the name of 'Seoul Communique' are more like declarations of each nations' political will, rather than regulations, they don't carry legal binding forces. But, owing to the fact that those are discussed and decided by heads of nations themselves, most countries will put emphasis on implementing the articles. During 2010 Washington Summit, 30 nations voluntarily promised nuclear security measures. Most measures have been taken by now and even new measures are being taken..

What is in the Seoul Communique?

First of all, removing and reducing the use of highly enriched uranium and plutonium will be the most important issue. In order to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism, safely managing and removing nuclear substances are critical. In addition, ▲Correlation between nuclear security and nuclear power safety ▲International cooperation to prevent trafficking of nuclearㆍradioactive substances ▲Transfering advanced technology to developing countries ▲Encouraging more nations to join nuclear security related international treaties will be included in the communique.

Why is North Korea opposed to South Korea hosting the Nuclear Security Summit 2012?

Nuclear Security Summit is a conference to prevent nuclear terrorism. North Korea's nuclear issue is not in the agenda; therefore, there is no reason for North Korea to complain. Leaders from all over the world will gather and discuss international peace and safety in the Nuclear Security Summit. If North Korea provokes South Korea during the summit, it will be a great challenge against world peace and safety; therefore, we are making a full defensive preparation against any emergency.

Seoul Summit, links between nuclear security & nuclear safety a critical issue

Nuclear security as well as nuclear safety will be discussed as critical issues in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit being held from 26th to 27th. Experts who participated in the Columbia University's "2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit: Peace & Security of Korean Peninsula as well as North-East Asia" as panels agreed on the fact that nuclear safety is becoming an important issue after the Japanese Fukushima Incident. Participants stressed that Nuclear Terrorism needs to be classified as the most dangerous threat related to nuclear security and needs to be prevented through international cooperation.

How will Norh Korean nuclear issue be dealt in the Nucelar Security Summit?

North Korean nuclear problem is an important issue not only to Korea but also to the international society. However, it is not an agenda of this summit. Nevertheless, taking account of the fact that 4 neighboring nations and leading nations will be participating in the summit, the issue will likely be mentioned at some point.

Ad. Film - 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

Peace Song - 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

[Nuclear Security is the future] 50 Leaders of the world discuss about prevention of Nuclear Terror at Seoul

 To make 'World without nuclear terror', 'Nuclear Security Summit' will be held at Seoul between 26th and 27th of March, with participation of 50 leaders from all around the world and representatives of international organizations.

This Summit signifies that nuclear security is discussed not only by few nations, but globally. Before 2000, Nuclear affairs had been discussed between US and Russia only, with agendas related to nuclear reduction.

But, there had been rise in possibility of nuclear possession by terrorist organizations and nations that had been developing nuclear weapon, which resulted the discussion to expand to 8 nations(G8) including China in 2002. And in 2008, the US president Barack Obama gave Prague Declaration saying "Formation of international security system in next 4 years that blocks nuclear terror" expanding the discussion to the international level in 2009.

Thereby, 1st Nuclear Security Summit was held at Washington in 2010. The leaders from 47 nations participated and discussed about the management system that could block misusage of nuclear materials and the global mutual-assistance system that could prevent manufacture of nuclear weapons.

At this Summit, there will be discussions regarding security of nuclear plants since there had been the Fukushima Nuclear Accident. The leaders of 47 nations will participate including those who are directly involved in the North Korean nuclear issues, such as US president Barack Obama, Chinese president Hu Jintao, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese prime minister Noda Yoshihiko.

Also, the heads of international organizations including International Atomic Energy Agency, Interpol and European Union will participate to discuss about measures of cooperation to prevent nuclear terrorism. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will host this summit as a chairman and will lead to draw the agreement 'Seoul Communique'.

The reason South Korea has been elected as the host nation is because it has been following the Non-Proliferation Treaty by claiming its strong will for denuclearization of Korean Peninsula and has built world-class technology in nuclear field by using nuclear plants in peaceful way, whereas North Korea has been developing nuclear weapon and denied international inspection.

After hosting G20 in 2010, South Korea has set an opportunity to heighten its diplomatic position in the world by hosting this summit at its capital in which the most sensitive issues like nuclear security will be discussed.

World Conference held to commemorate Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

The world conference co-hosted by Korean Association of International Studies(KAIS) and UN Association of Republic of Korea(UNA-ROK) was held at Yeouido 63 Convention Center on 28th for 2 days.

 On the first day, the ambassadors to South Korea such as the US ambassador Sung Kim, the Chinese ambassador Zhang Xinsen, the Russian ambassador Konstantin Vnukov, the British ambassador Scott Wightman and the French ambassador Elisabeth Laurin, and the special representative for Korean peninsula peace and security affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lim Sung-nam gave each nation's strategies on 'Formation of International Nuclear Security Regime"

 On the second day, discussions on 'Nuclear Security Summit and International Regime' and 'Nuclear Security Summit and Northeast Asia' continued.

Jean-Hugues Simon-Michel, the French Sherpa for 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

 The French ambassador to Geneva for disarmament Jean-Hugues Simon-Michel, who was the french sherpa for 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, said, "2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit should show its strong will to the world regarding the measures for nuclear terrorism" in the interview with Korean correspondants to Paris.

Simon-Michel also said "Seoul Nuclear Security Summit will be the opportunity to prepare significant steps for realizing the necessity of the security for the threat of nuclear terror and the most vulnerable resources".

The president attends 3rd Preparatory Committee of 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

 The President Lee Myung Bak visited COEX on 27th(Mon) where 「2012 Seoul Nuclear Seucurity Summit(26-27,Mar)」 will be held, attended 3rd conference Preparatory Committee of the Summit, and visited the Preparatory Secretariat office to praise the staffs and personnel for their hard work.

The Security team conducts demonstration of immediate action drill for emergency situations

'The Security team of 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit'(Director: Head of the presidential security service Eo Cheong-soo) held press briefing regarding security, exibition of guard equipments and demonstration of immediate action drill for emergency situations, for the correspondents of 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Preparatory Secretatiat and Cheong Wa Dae.

Spokesmen(Sous-Sherpa), Briefing for the foreign journalists

 On 27th Feb in E-ma building, the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Preparatory Secretatiat Spokesman Han Chung-hui(Sous-Sherpa) gave briefing to the foreign journalists who visited South Korea.