U.S. Department of State, Rejecting Suspicions on South Korea’s Nuclear Development Program

The Kyoto News Agency, citing various U.S. officials, reported on Friday that Korea’s experiment of extracting plutonium in 1982 was not a state-sponsored nuclear arms program, and at that time there was no research equipment or technology in Korea to develop nuclear weapons.

According to the report, the U.S. Department of State spokesman stated, “The experiment to extract plutonium at that time was purely an experimental activity, and the amount of enriched uranium obtained was very small.” This was the first response from the U.S. after Korea’s isolated experiment became disclosed to the public.

Such response from the U.S. is seen as a way to keep the situation under control based on Korea’s public disclosure of the experiment, concluding that Korea’s experiment is “irrelevant to a nuclear weapons building program,” and to not deviate from the six-way talks in resolving the North’s nuclear crisis.

Furthermore, Bill Rammell, vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of England, advised in a press conference held on Thursday(according to Korean times), “South Korea’s experiment was very restrictive and on a completely different level from that of North’s nuclear issue. If the North thinks that they are on to something, it is a big mistake.” He emphasized, “The Korean government is allowing a complete inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and they are being transparent on the information concerning the experiment.”

However, doubts from some countries on the reasons behind Korea’s nuclear reprocessing experiment seems to grow stronger.

Hiroyuki Hosoda, chief Cabinet secretary of Japan, criticized, “The enrichment level of the obtained uranium, though it was a very small amount, was not an adequate experiment because it requires a thorough inspection,” and he urged for an inspection from the IAEA. Japan’s Sankei Newspaper reported on Friday that South Korea’s uranium test is affecting the six-way talks concerning the North’s nuclear program.

The U.K.’s Financial Times daily newspaper reported on Friday that the second public disclosure of suspicions on nuclear tinkering a week after the public disclosure of the uranium test will not only damage South Korea’s international trust but also cause difficulties in solving the nuclear problem.

According to Itar-tass Agency, Alexander Saltanov, vice minister of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia, said, “Seoul’s disclosure of the uranium test should not affect the six-way talks. The agreement to continue the negotiations on the North’s nuclear issue should be abided under any circumstances.”

Hun-Joo Cho Young-Sik Kim hanscho@donga.com spear@donga.com