Nuclear Agreement Between Seoul, Washington Comes Into Effect

An agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy between Seoul and Washington which came into effect, regulates the supply and peaceful use of nuclear fuel in nuclear technology exports.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — An agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy between South Korea and the United States came into effect on Wednesday, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On April 22, Seoul and Washington signed a deal to replace a previous accord that regulated the relations between the two states on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, along with the nine additional agreements.

"New [nuclear] Agreement in accordance with the diplomatic notes exchanged between our two countries has entered into force today," the statement said.

The statement added that the agreement regulates the supply and peaceful use of nuclear fuel in nuclear technology exports.

Relations between the United States and South Korea have been highly cooperative since 1950, when Washington supported Seoul during the Korean War. During the following decades, South Korea reduced its dependency on the United States and saw marked economic growth. Relations between the two countries were reaffirmed after conservative President Lee Myung-Bak assumed office in 2008. South Korea is designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States.