ID :
193044
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 16:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/193044
The shortlink copeid
Lee agrees to strengthen nuclear energy cooperation with South Africa
DURBAN, South Africa, July 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and South African President Jacob Zuma agreed Tuesday to enhance nuclear energy cooperation, including building atomic reactors and power plants, South Korea's presidential office said.
The two leaders held a summit on the sidelines of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting set to open later Tuesday to select the host for the 2018 Winter Olympics in a vote on Wednesday. Lee flew here to campaign in South Korea's third straight attempt to bring the Winter Olympics to the alpine city of PyeongChang.
Lee's discussions with Zuma focused on promoting trade and investment and expanding energy and resources cooperation, the presidential office said in a statement.
In particular, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in building an atomic power plant and a research reactor, noting that a nuclear cooperation pact, which went into force in February, laid the groundwork for cooperation in the area, the statement said.
The pact paved the way for Korean firms to take part in atomic power plant construction projects in the African nation.
Currently, nuclear power comprises only about 5 percent of South Africa's entire electricity generation. The country plans to double its electricity production to 80 gigawatts by 2025 to help address a power shortage, and it wants to get 25 percent of that from nuclear power plants.
South Korea has been stepping up efforts to export nuclear power plants since Korean firms won a US$18.6 billion project in late 2009 to build four atomic power plants in the United Arab Emirates after beating their U.S., Japanese and French rivals.
Lee and Zuma also agreed to boost cooperation in green growth and the joint exploration of mineral resources through investment and participation by South Korean firms in such projects, the statement said.
On security issues, Lee briefed Zuma on Seoul's efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and asked for South Africa's continued support for the cause. Zuma valued such efforts and reaffirmed his support for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the statement said.
Lee praised Zuma for trying to help bring stability to Libya and other African regions and briefed him on South Korea's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and help stabilize the region, the statement said.
The two leaders also agreed to work together to help make progress in this year's U.N. climate change conference set for November in South Africa, the statement said.
The two leaders held a summit on the sidelines of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting set to open later Tuesday to select the host for the 2018 Winter Olympics in a vote on Wednesday. Lee flew here to campaign in South Korea's third straight attempt to bring the Winter Olympics to the alpine city of PyeongChang.
Lee's discussions with Zuma focused on promoting trade and investment and expanding energy and resources cooperation, the presidential office said in a statement.
In particular, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in building an atomic power plant and a research reactor, noting that a nuclear cooperation pact, which went into force in February, laid the groundwork for cooperation in the area, the statement said.
The pact paved the way for Korean firms to take part in atomic power plant construction projects in the African nation.
Currently, nuclear power comprises only about 5 percent of South Africa's entire electricity generation. The country plans to double its electricity production to 80 gigawatts by 2025 to help address a power shortage, and it wants to get 25 percent of that from nuclear power plants.
South Korea has been stepping up efforts to export nuclear power plants since Korean firms won a US$18.6 billion project in late 2009 to build four atomic power plants in the United Arab Emirates after beating their U.S., Japanese and French rivals.
Lee and Zuma also agreed to boost cooperation in green growth and the joint exploration of mineral resources through investment and participation by South Korean firms in such projects, the statement said.
On security issues, Lee briefed Zuma on Seoul's efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and asked for South Africa's continued support for the cause. Zuma valued such efforts and reaffirmed his support for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the statement said.
Lee praised Zuma for trying to help bring stability to Libya and other African regions and briefed him on South Korea's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and help stabilize the region, the statement said.
The two leaders also agreed to work together to help make progress in this year's U.N. climate change conference set for November in South Africa, the statement said.
