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With the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) less than 20 days away, Foreign Minister and Chief of the NSS Preparatory Secretariat Kim Sung-Hwan gave the Weekly Gonggam an update on the upcoming event.

What is the overall objective of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit?

The Nuclear Security Summit is the first step towards realizing a world free of nuclear weapons, and still another step towards the peace and safety of the international community. The threat of nuclear terrorism is one which all countries must address, as acts of nuclear terrorism will bring about irreversible damage and loss with regards to human life, property, and the environment. Thus, the main objective of this summit is to ensure that the world’s nuclear and radioactive materials and facilities are not misused for the purposes of terrorism. By strengthening both the protective measures of individual states as well as measures for international cooperation, we will be able to make a safer, more peaceful world for our children.

Who will be attending the summit?

As the largest high-level forum in the security sector and the largest international summit hosted by Korea, this year’s summit will be attended by the heads of 53 states and four international organizations. The participating states represent 80% of the global population as well as 90% of the world’s GDP. President Barack Obama of the United States, President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China, and other leaders of neighboring regions are expected to attend, along with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano, and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

What are the main issues to be discussed at the summit? In what ways will this summit differ from the first Nuclear Security Summit, held in Washington in 2010?

The most important outcome of the 2010 summit was the shared recognition among heads of state of the urgency and seriousness of the threat of nuclear terrorism, and the subsequent rallying of political commitment to addressing the issue. Seoul will provide a setting for the discussion of concrete measures for realizing the goals outlined in Washington, namely, combating the threat of nuclear terrorism, protecting nuclear materials and related facilities, and preventing illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. Also, with heightened international interest in nuclear safety since the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in March 2011, expansion of nuclear safety measures will be on the agenda as well.

Will the North Korean nuclear issue be discussed at the summit?

Although the North Korean nuclear issue is an extremely important international issue, it is not on the agenda for our discussions. Nevertheless, with key heads of state coming to Seoul, including those of the four countries closest to the Korean peninsula, there will likely be additional opportunities, perhaps in the context of bilateral talks, to discuss the issue further.

What is the reason behind North Korea’s denunciation of the summit?

Again, as the summit will discuss the prevention of nuclear terrorism and not the North Korean nuclear issue, there is no reason for any kind of denunciation. With that said, a provocation by North Korea during a gathering of world leaders to discuss international peace and safety can only be seen as a direct challenge to these aims. As such, the Korean government is taking all possible preparatory measures to ensure a safe summit.

What will be included in the Seoul Communiqué [to be adopted at the end of the event]?

As the safe management of nuclear materials is the most important concrete measure for reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism, the Seoul Communiqué will first outline the goal of minimizing stocks and use of highly enriched uranium and plutonium. Other issues addressed will include, as mentioned before, the nexus between nuclear security and nuclear safety, the strengthening of international cooperation to prevent illicit trafficking, the sharing of advanced technology with developing countries, and a call for more countries to commit to international agreements and initiatives dealing with nuclear security.

To what extent will measures decided upon at the summit be binding for individual states?

The Seoul Communiqué and the measures it outlines comprise a declaration of political commitment, not a legally binding mandate. Nonetheless, as an agreement signed and adopted at the head-of-state level, the implementation of its measures will be very important. In Washington in 2010, 30 some states publicly pledged their commitment to carry out specific measures for improving nuclear security. Today, most of these states have fulfilled their commitment and are actually in the process of introducing new measures.

What has been the focal point of preparations for a successful summit?

Throughout the preparation process, the Korean government has emphasized the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit as one to be carried out “with the people.” This goal will define our efforts in the days ahead, as we work to educate the public regarding nuclear security and its importance and relation to our daily lives. Continuing in the success of the 2010 G20 Summit, as well as last year’s High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, we will work together with participating states to make this a productive and substantive event.

Adapted from Weekly Gonggam Magazine
Translated by Kwon Jungyun, Korea.net Staff Writer