1. The Foreign Ministry will host the 2018 Conference on Nuclear Safety Cooperation -- “Dialogue on Nuclear Safety” -- in Seoul on February 1 and 2 for a discussion on ways for the international community to work together in promoting nuclear safety.

2. The Conference will bring together experts from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission and other relevant organizations at home; such major nuclear powerhouses as the US, France and China; Germany, the UK and Finland and other advanced countries in nuclear decommissioning and managing spent nuclear fuel; the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other emerging nuclear energy countries; such international organizations as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

3. In his welcoming remarks, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will share with the other participants the Republic of Korea’s policy direction with nuclear safety as its top priority; and underscore the need for inter-national communication and cooperation to beef up nuclear safety.

° The Conference will consist of four sessions, during which the participants will learn about advanced countries’ experiences in nuclear decommissioning and managing spent nuclear fuel as well as their safety policies; and will discuss the role that the IAEA and other international organizations can play for inter-national cooperation in that regard.

4. The forthcoming Conference is expected to serve as an opportunity for the participating countries to share among themselves best practices regarding nuclear safety and build a relevant network, helping build mutual trust among them and ensure nuclear safety to the extent that people can be reassured.

° The event is also expected to serve as an opportunity to instill in potential importers of Korea-built nuclear power plants trust in those plants.