Korea Recognized for Contributions to Asia-Pacific Nuclear Cooperation

Received 5 Awards in 4 Categories for 50th Anniversary Meritorious Service at RCA Ministerial Meeting

On the 26th (local time), Oh Tae-seok, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT (second from the left), attended the opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary achievement exhibition hall of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) held in Vienna, Austria, together with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] South Korea has been recognized for its contributions to nuclear cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 26th (local time) that South Korea received six awards of merit in four categories at the ministerial meeting of the "Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA)" held in Vienna, Austria.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, Oh Tae-seok, the First Vice Minister who attended on behalf of Minister Lee Jong-ho, currently visiting the United States, highly praised RCA's achievements in contributing to economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region over the past 50 years during the meeting. He also encouraged domestic related organizations that have contributed to strengthening cooperation among member countries and enhancing national status in the Asia-Pacific region by hosting the RCA Secretariat.

RCA is one of the four regional cooperative agreements operated by the IAEA (Asia-Pacific, Arab, South America, Africa). It came into effect in 1972 and currently has 22 member countries. South Korea joined in 1974 and has contributed to supporting nuclear technology cooperation activities among member countries and strengthening RCA's influence in the international community by hosting the RCA regional office since 2012.

This meeting, held for the first time on the occasion of RCA's 50th anniversary, included ▲a keynote speech by Director General Rafael Grossi ▲keynote addresses by member countries ▲adoption of a ministerial joint declaration ▲RCA awards ceremony ▲and the opening ceremony of the RCA achievement exhibition hall.

In particular, at the first RCA awards ceremony held to mark the 50th anniversary, South Korea won six awards across four categories out of a total of 28 awards in five categories. Specifically, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the RCA Secretariat received the ‘RCA Special Award.’ The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) received the ‘RCA Human Resource Development Award,’ the Korea Nuclear Cooperation Foundation received the ‘RCA Regional Cooperation Award,’ and researchers Lee Man-gi from KAERI and Jang Won-il from the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences received the ‘RCA Best Project Award’ as individuals.

In his keynote speech, Vice Minister Oh stated, “Just as RCA has contributed to the development of member countries over the past 50 years, it must continue to lead sustainable growth worldwide beyond the region to address global issues such as carbon neutrality, energy security, and climate crisis response. South Korea will also do its best to cooperate.”