Author: He Yun, Tsinghua University

1. Hahn Choong-Hee on the importance of 2012 Nuclear Security Summit:
There are many international mechanisms dealing with nuclear security and terrorism, for instance, Convention on the Physical Protection of nuclear weapons, UNSCR 1540 and so on. Different from these regimes, the nuclear security summit is the gathering of the highest level in order to mobilize the heads of state to commit to the urgency of nuclear security. This meeting is very important, because it will help the governments to demonstrate their political will at the highest level.

In the background of stagnation in CTBT, FMCT negotiations, this meeting will facilitate cooperation between countries, and serve as a catalyst in non-proliferation and other nuclear-related dialogue in the future.

It will also help increase public awareness on nuclear trafficking, terrorism and safety. With leaders gathering in Washington, this will have direct consequences on all nations politically, economically and environmentally. Although not intended to create any new organization, with strong political impetus collected from this summit, we will be able to successfully mobilize 20-30 countries to commit to non-proliferation, even if it’s not reflected in the communique.

Nuclear security is the base of the other IAEA designated pillars, namely peaceful- use, and non-proliferation. Security is also related to safety, Fukushima gives a lot of ideas for terrorisms activities, telling them the areas which can be easily penetrated by terrorists groups. In Seoul, these issues will be thoroughly explored by the penal of experts, because safety and security often go side by side. Therefore the penal of experts will have important implications for discussions of these issues.

2. Dr. Yoo Hosik on the three “s”:
Safety, safeguard, and security are often linked to each other. For instance, radiological materials are a concern for nuclear safety, but it is also related to nuclear control, security and terrorism, and safeguard. This issue was not discussed in Washington, but it is very important in that, although its destructive power is lower than nuclear weapons, but things like dirty bombs can still cause great public harm.

Therefore how to harmonize the three “s” is a very important issue. IAEA already made some effort in this direction, for instance, since 2008 they organized a range of meetings and workshop. But no concrete result. In the security summit in Seoul, we hope not only to discuss this issue, but also achieve more substantial result both in terms of terminology and agreement on the code of conduct.

3. Ms. Alexandra Toma on why nuclear security is important:
Since the September 11 attack, the fear of terrorism in the public has become real. If a nuclear attack succeeded in a city, according to a study by the RAND corporation, the U.S. may lose 30 percent of trade, and 60,000 lives in the immediate aftermath.

Fortunately fissile materials are very hard to come by. But the issue remains and the security summit really draw urgent attention to this problem.

Nuclear security is not a western thing, but something all countries, different social organizations, different stake holders all have to worry about. Civil society and experts, nuclear and defense industry will involve in the security summit. These stakeholders are really keen. So the summit has the spirit of inclusiveness, in that not just official, but non-governmental exchanges are widely populated. This is important because public sphere will help shape and facilitate government policy, and allow countries to take the next step in battling nuclear threats and protecting global nuclear security.

* 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.