Experts call for peaceful use of nuclear energy

Experts and officials from around the world opened a forum in Seoul yesterday to discuss ways to promote peaceful use of atomic energy.

The four-day Summit of Honor on Atoms for Peace and Environment started with experts holding working group sessions on non-proliferation education and multinational fuel cycles, organizers said.

The summit, the first of its kind, is designed to seek ways to prevent the spread weapons of mass destruction and utilize atomic energy under the intentions of good will, such as replacing fossil fuels.

The event is headed by former Korean President Kim Young-sam and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei. The two will give opening speeches today with Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, U.S. ambassador to Seoul Kathleen Stephens and former Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo in attendance.



Officials and atomic energy experts from the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Russia and China attended the meeting, along with representatives from non-governmental organizations such as Pugwash. The organization aims to reduce the dangers of conflict and to seek cooperative solutions for global problems.

Today experts will discuss ways to develop a nuclear weapons-free world and their reviews on the non-proliferation treaty.

On Friday, participants will address the need to form multilateral security cooperation and development of education programs for non-member countries or newcomers to understand the NPT. They will also talk about the multinational fuel cycle approach and explore ways to use nuclear power to meet the world`s energy needs, organizers said.

Professor Hamid Ait Abderrahim, director of the institute of advanced nuclear systems in Belgium will show multinational demonstration programs for incineration of spent nuclear fuel waste.

(christory@heraldm.com)



By Cho Chung-un