Industry leaders to discuss role of private sector in enhancing nuclear safety, security


More than 200 representatives of nuclear power companies and related international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, will gather in Seoul on Friday for discussions on how to ensure nuclear safety.

The two-day Nuclear Industry Summit, themed “The Role of the Nuclear Industry in Enhancing Nuclear Security and Safety,” is being held in conjunction with the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit next week.

The NIS, to be held at the Grand InterContinental Hotel, is the largest nuclear industry event to take place in Korea and is hoped to help bolster international nuclear security and restore public confidence in nuclear energy.

“The NIS is an opportunity to let the world know about the strengths of Korea’s nuclear industry,” said Kim Jong-shin, chief executive of the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. and head of the NIS organizing committee.

“We also expect it to greatly contribute toward nuclear power plant exports by allowing the international community to recognize the importance of nuclear safety.”

The conference will assess the performance of the nuclear industry over the past two years since the 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit and seek to foster a cooperative environment in support of global nuclear security and safety.

While the Washington summit in April 2010 was an opportunity to recognize the importance of the role of the industry in nuclear security as well as to accept the need for a higher level of nuclear security, the 2012 Seoul NIS will work toward establishing more concrete cooperative security measures.

The NIS International Advisory Committee and the organizing committee will adopt a joint statement based on the results of the discussions by three working groups, and officially propose it to the Nuclear Security Summit.

During the opening session Friday morning, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik will deliver congratulatory remarks after opening remarks by KNHP’s Kim and welcoming remarks by Kim Joong-kyum, chief executive of Korea Electric Power Corp. and chairman of the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum.

Then co-chairs of the NIS IAC such as John Ritch, director general of the World Nuclear Association; Roger Howsley, president of the World Institute for Nuclear Security; Laurent Stricker, chairman of the World Association of Nuclear Operators; and Marvin Fertel, president of the Nuclear Energy Institute; will give keynote addresses on the industry’s role in enhancing nuclear security and expectations for the Seoul NIS.

Three working groups of about 10 CEO-level members each will hold discussions on the minimization of civilian uses of high-enriched uranium; securing sensitive information; and the link between security and safety post-Fukushima.

After a luncheon hosted by Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo, the IAC will give presentations on regional cooperation for security and safety among other topics, followed by panel discussions.

NIS organizing committee chief Kim will then announce the adoption of a joint statement.

NIS participants will attend a dinner hosted by the prime minister Friday evening.

On Saturday, they are scheduled to go on a technical tour of major nuclear power facilities and experience Korean culture.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)