WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today welcomed the Republic of Korea’s decision to join the President’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) and sign the GNEP Statement of Principles.  GNEP, a voluntary partnership, aims to safely and securely expand nuclear power worldwide while responsibly managing nuclear waste and reducing proliferation risks.   Korea’s announcement brings the total number of GNEP partners to 19.

“The Republic of Korea is a leader in civil nuclear energy, and its diverse nuclear power capabilities and a strong research and development program will enable Korea to contribute a great deal to GNEP,” DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dennis R. Spurgeon said.  “GNEP represents nations at every stage of nuclear power development and its broad array of partners will help ensure a viable and durable framework to safely increase the use of clean and affordable nuclear power.”

Korea’s announcement to join GNEP comes as the international partnership moves forward this week with its first GNEP Steering Committee Meeting in Vienna, beginning Tuesday.  This three-day meeting will include discussions on key GNEP objectives and deliverables, as well as activities for Working Groups on infrastructure development and reliable fuel services.

DOE most recently welcomed Italy and Canada’s decision to formally join GNEP.  At the second GNEP Ministerial meeting in September, GNEP tripled the size of its partnership when China, France, Japan, Russia and the United States - original GNEP partners - as well as Australia, Bulgaria, Ghana, Hungary, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Ukraine signed the GNEP Statement of Principles.

The GNEP Statement of Principles addresses the prospects of expanding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including enhanced safeguards, international fuel service frameworks, and advanced technologies.  Nations participating in this cooperation would not give up any rights and voluntarily engage to share the effort and gain the benefits of economic, peaceful nuclear energy.

Learn more about the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.

Media contact(s):
Angela Hill, (202) 586-4940