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Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). / Yonhap

The South Korean government has reportedly notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention to initiate consultations regarding a separate arrangement related to its nuclear-powered submarine development project.

According to Voice of America (VOA), IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced during a press conference held at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on the 7th (local time) that South Korea formally notified the Secretariat of its intention to begin consultations with the agency regarding a separate arrangement under Article 14 of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA).

Director General Grossi stated, "South Korea has already submitted relevant reporting materials to the IAEA and reaffirmed its commitment to implement its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the CSA." He added, "We look forward to consultations continuing in a spirit of transparency."

The government's move appears to be follow-up action to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's meeting in April with Grossi during his visit to South Korea, where Cho committed to maintaining transparent, close communication with the IAEA throughout the nuclear submarine acquisition process. At the time, Grossi mentioned the necessity of concluding a separate arrangement between the IAEA and South Korea.

The NPT, to which South Korea is a party, prohibits non-nuclear-weapon states from diverting nuclear materials such as uranium toward nuclear weapons development. However, Article 14 of the CSA provides an exception, allowing non-nuclear-weapon states to use nuclear materials for military purposes through the conclusion of a separate arrangement with the IAEA. Nevertheless, because there is no established precedent for the IAEA concluding such a separate arrangement with any country, the exact timeline remains difficult to gauge.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official remarked, "The government plans to continue consultations regarding the nuclear submarine project under the principle of faithfully complying with international nonproliferation obligations, including the NPT and IAEA safeguards agreements." However, in response to a question about whether the submission of documents indicates progress in negotiations with the U.S., the official noted, "It is not necessarily linked to that issue. Since we announced our nuclear submarine plan, this should be understood as carrying out standard operating procedures to demonstrate compliance from the earliest stages of the agreement."

On the same day, Grossi also noted that the agency is monitoring a newly constructed building presumed to be a uranium enrichment facility within the Yongbyon nuclear complex in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. Grossi stated, "The scale and infrastructure are similar to the Kangson uranium enrichment facility." He added, "According to photographs taken in June, the building appears to house centrifuges of the same type seen in previously disclosed North Korean enrichment facilities."

Grossi emphasized, "North Korea's continuation and further development of its nuclear program constitute a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions."

                                                                                                             Lee Han-sol