Seoul: South Korean Ambassador to Romania Rim Kap-soo has been named as the country's chief negotiator for talks with the United States over Seoul's efforts to secure civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. Rim, recognized for his expertise in the non-proliferation field, was selected on Monday to represent the government in a task force on nuclear cooperation between Seoul and Washington.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Rim previously worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2016 as a specialist on the global non-proliferation regime. This background is seen as a strong asset as he takes on the role of chief negotiator. Under a joint fact sheet on summit agreements between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States committed to supporting South Korea in its efforts toward civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful uses.

The government is set to launch a task force on bilateral nuclear cooperation, led by the foreign ministry, to advance related negotiations. Rim's appointment is viewed as a signal of South Korea's dedication to pursue civilian uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing while adhering to the non-proliferation regime. There are ongoing concerns within the U.S. that Seoul's initiatives might lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.