De Facto Nuclear Weapon States and the Non-Proliferation Treaty Regime

Some argue that in order to thwart the nuclear weapons ambitions of Iran and North Korea, more attention must be paid to the three de facto nuclear-weapon states —Israel, India, and Pakistan. In fact, there have been allegations that Iran and North Korea have been linked logically or technically to the three states in developing their nuclear weapons. What measures can be taken to encourage Iran and North Korea to give up their nuclear programs? Can the NPT regime truly become universal?

How Viable are Nuclear Weapons Free Zones?

The Treaty of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga or Bangkok is a regional agreement that a group of states established as a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, which bans the use, development, and deployment of nuclear weapons in the given area. Are the treaties viable in terms of their verification mechanisms and enforcement of their obligations? Is a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone feasible option for the Middle East and Northeast Asia?

How Safe Are Nuclear Power Plants in ROK?

Nuclear power plants generate 30% of the total electricity in the Republic of Korea. Since the population is heavily concentrated in a small area, there has been a strong awareness of the potential hazard of both nuclear criticality and the release of radioactive materials from nuclear power plants. The design and operation of nuclear power plants aim to minimize the likelihood of such accidents and in general, nuclear power plants have been believed to be liable. However, rampant corruption within the nuclear industry has been broadcasted by the media and resulted in decreased public credibility. This panel will discuss the safety capacity of ROK’s nuclear power plant in its design, equipment, and safety management and also address the public concern on nuclear safety.