Vienna, Austria, Sept. 17, 2003 - U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Republic of Korea Science and Technology Minister Park Ho-Koon, signed a bilateral agreement recently to conduct joint research and development on advanced proliferation resistant fuel cycle technologies.

The five-year agreement is the sixth in a series of implementing arrangements under a Memorandum of Understanding that promotes collaborative laboratory-to-laboratory exchanges between the United States and the Republic of Korea on advanced nuclear energy technologies.

"Under this agreement, both countries will cooperate on development of these advanced technologies that enhance our energy security and are safer, less waste intensive, and more proliferation resistant," Secretary of Energy Abraham said. "This agreement is important to both of our countries and builds on key recommendations of President Bush's National Energy Policy."

This agreement paves the way for the United States and the Republic of Korea to work together in key aspects of the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative announced earlier this year by Secretary Abraham. Under this initiative, the Department is working with select international partners to develop proliferation-resistant technologies that can provide for a better, safer, more sustainable nuclear energy future. With this new agreement, the two nations will engage in joint projects and experiments in both countries, including fuels and materials irradiations in the U.S.

Information regarding the department's Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative and international cooperation can be found on the nuclear energy web site at http://www.nuclear.gov.