The National Interest, a U.S. think tank website, published an article titled "US-South Korean Cooperation Can Reshape the Nuclear Energy Market and Strengthen Nonproliferation" on April 11. The author is Kim Yong-jun. Below is an excerpt of the article translated as follows:

The US-South Korea relationship has become a strategic necessity for maintaining leadership in the nuclear energy market and preserving the integrity of the global nonproliferation regime.

America has lost its leadership in defending the nonproliferation regime and its dominant position in the nuclear energy market. The loss of America's leadership in the nuclear energy market not only signifies the loss of its nuclear hegemony but also threatens the stability of the global nonproliferation mechanism.

China and Russia currently dominate the world nuclear energy market. Russia has become the world's largest exporter of nuclear reactors, while China continues to build nuclear power plants domestically and internationally.

In contrast to commercial markets like food and automobiles, the nuclear energy market is security-related due to potential nuclear proliferation threats. America has strongly signed 123 agreements with partner countries to defend the nonproliferation regime and promote a safer world.

South Korea as a Responsible Nuclear Energy Partner

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has always been a model for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. South Korea's desire to expand nuclear power exports far exceeds the potential benefits of developing nuclear weapons.

The Barakah nuclear power plant built by KEPCO demonstrates South Korea's strength as a nuclear exporter. However, this achievement has raised concerns among American nuclear industry insiders about future competition. Similarly, during the Trump administration, the Saudi Arabia nuclear power plant bidding process saw concerns from the U.S. government and nuclear industry over South Korea's ambitions as a nuclear supplier. At that time, the lack of communication or poor communication between the U.S. and South Korea led to friction over this issue. If the two countries become competitors rather than partners in the nuclear energy market, the cost will be high, potentially triggering a global arms race and nuclear war risks in the near future.

However, recently, the U.S. and South Korea have agreed to cooperate in the nuclear energy market. Given China and Russia's dominance in the nuclear energy market, a strong partnership between the U.S. and South Korea is not optional but crucial. This cooperation is vital not only for the national interests of both countries but also for maintaining a safer world.

Maintaining the Nonproliferation Regime Through the US-South Korea Partnership

The loss of America's leadership in the global nuclear energy market could lead to chaos, a resurgence of nuclear arms races, and the collapse of the nonproliferation regime.

America is fortunate to have South Korea as a powerful partner in the global nuclear energy market. This partnership has been established because America unconditionally supports South Korea's development into an advanced nuclear energy nation within the framework of nonproliferation.

Just as South Korea's nation-building is considered one of the greatest achievements of American foreign policy, South Korea's progress in the nuclear energy field is one of the best results of American leadership in supporting peaceful nuclear energy development. Now is the time for America and its star pupil - South Korea - to form a partnership, working together to defend the global nonproliferation regime and maintain America's leadership in the nuclear energy market.

Experts, government officials, and industry leaders from both countries must prepare for joint action. This partnership will lead the global nonproliferation regime, support the peaceful use of nuclear energy, enhance export competitiveness, and cover future cooperation areas such as small modular reactors (SMRs).

Only through this partnership can the U.S. and South Korea compete in the nuclear energy market dominated by Russia and China and defend the global nonproliferation regime.

The author, Professor Kim Yong-jun, is the Dean of the National Security College at the Korea National Defense University.

"Language Learning Research | Translation"

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7492353183134581285/

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