Ambassador Im Gapsu, Nonproliferation Expert, Appointed as Government Representative for South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation TF

Im Gapsu, the Ambassador to Romania, has been appointed as the government representative to negotiate with the United States for the expansion of South Korea's rights to privately enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel. He is a career diplomat and is recognized as an international nonproliferation expert.

On December 23, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official met with reporters at the Government Complex Seoul and stated that Ambassador Im was appointed the previous day as the government representative for the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Task Force (TF). Currently residing in Romania, Ambassador Im is expected to return to Korea early next year and officially begin his duties with the launch of the TF.

Ambassador Im was dispatched to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2016 as a nonproliferation specialist and has built his career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, primarily in the fields of disarmament, nonproliferation, and nuclear energy. He also served on secondment to the National Security Office (NSC) during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Previously, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun appeared on Yonhap News TV and stated, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will establish a dedicated workforce and organization to negotiate with the United States on the issues of nuclear enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing." This was also included in the joint explanatory materials released during the South Korea-U.S. summit on November 14.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "The government representative will oversee and coordinate negotiations with the United States within the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation TF, which will be established soon," adding, "The two countries will begin consultations once a certain level of preparation has been made." The TF, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is expected to include related agencies such as the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.