South Korea says an upcoming nuclear security summit will focus in large part on atomic safety and security in the aftermath of Japan’s 2011 nuclear disaster.
U.S. President Barack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao and the leaders of more than 50 other countries and multi-national organizations are expected at the March 26-27 summit — the largest international meeting South Korea has ever hosted.
In a briefing Monday, Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said the summit will focus on nuclear security and safety as opposed to proliferation issues currently under intense scrutiny by the United Nations. He said the North Korean and Iranian nuclear standoffs are not slated for formal discussion, but said leaders will likely address those issues informally.
President Obama launched the international forum two years ago as part of a push to boost international safeguards aimed at diminishing the threat of nuclear terrorism.
Foreign Minister Kim is also quoted by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency as saying participants will deal with both plutonium and highly-enriched uranium issues. He said those topics “will send a sufficient message” to North Korea and Iran about international concerns over their nuclear programs.