Author: Mwita Chacha, Center for International Trade and Security

The panel discussion dealt with the intersection between nuclear safety and nuclear security along the lines of bridging these two concepts. In his opening remarks, the moderator Igor Khriponov noted that the topic the panel was addressing has recently began to evolve especially in the wake of the Fukushima accident in early 2011. The trend however has been focusing more on safety issues especially after disasters such as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. This is the case mainly because security is perceived to be under the purview of states. However, it is meaningless to test nuclear safety without addressing nuclear security. Thus, there is need for international and national level efforts at facilitating an interface of safety and security that would involve both governments at the international level, but also nuclear energy sectors that operate in multiple states.

The panelists raised various issues pertaining to bridging the gap between nuclear safety and nuclear security. All the panelists agreed that nuclear security is less elaborate and less developed than nuclear security due to sovereignty concerns among states national security is under threat. However, the issue of nuclear security is slowly gaining prominence due to it being discussed in multilateral talks. Indeed Hahn Choong-hee observed the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit to be held in Seoul, Korea would seek to bring more discussion on the issue of nuclear terrorism and nuclear security generally.

Additionally, the panelists discussed the need for strengthening nuclear security regimes under the International Atomic Energy Agency. While the IAEA has put emphasis on nuclear safety, the panelists observed that the 2011 Fukushima disaster demonstrated the risk of nuclear security and the need for better multilateral arrangements to address such a concern in the future.

Furthermore, it was discussed that outreach to industries that deal with nuclear/radiological materials is necessary to strengthen nuclear security and enhance an interface between nuclear safety and nuclear security. Part of the reason an interface has been difficult is due to nuclear safety and nuclear security being under the purview of different authorities who do not always communicate with each other.

* The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
* The views expressed here are panel overviews of the Asan Plenum. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or the institutions they are affiliated with.