IAEA says South Korea formally notifies it of plans to consult on nuclear-powered submarine

South Korea has formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it intends to begin consultations on an arrangement needed for its planned nuclear-powered submarine, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.

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South Korea has formally notified the Secretariat of its intention to begin consultations with the IAEA on an arrangement under Article 14 of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

Grossi made the remarks in his opening statement to the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna on the 7th local time, according to Voice of America. He said South Korea had informed the agency’s secretariat of its intention to start consultations under Article 14 of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

South Korea also submitted related declaration materials, Grossi said. He added that Seoul had reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, its comprehensive safeguards agreement and the Additional Protocol.

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In this regard, South Korea has already submitted the relevant declaration materials to the Secretariat.

Grossi said he hoped the consultations would continue “in the same spirit of transparency.” The Article 14 process concerns the safeguards arrangements required when a non-nuclear-weapon state seeks to temporarily remove nuclear material used for submarine propulsion from routine IAEA safeguards.

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I look forward to the consultations continuing in the same spirit of transparency.