On June 4th, 2012, the Asan Institute for Policy Studies hosted a ceremony celebrating the establishment of the “Asan Nuclear Policy & Technology Center.” The event was attended by many well-known experts in the nuclear policy and science fields in Korea.

The second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kim Sung-han, and former Minister of Environment, Kim Myung Ja, gave congratulatory remarks at the start of the ceremony.  During their remarks, they stated that the launch of the center holds significance because, in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster and the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, there are increasing domestic and international concerns regarding nuclear issues. In addition, they mentioned that given the independent and non-partisan nature of the Institute, the “Asan Nuclear Policy & Technology Center” would be expected to play a leading role in providing alternative policy proposals that will contribute to the positive development of nuclear power in Korea.

Prior to the ceremony, a preliminary meeting was also held with the members of the advisory board for the Asan Nuclear Policy & Technology Center. The advisory board is comprised of twenty renowned domestic experts from the fields of politics, economics, diplomacy, and national defense, as well as nuclear experts from industrial, environmental, and medical backgrounds. A number of international experts will also join and comprise part of the advisory board.

Under the vision of being a leading research center for nuclear policy, promoting the interests of mankind and our nuclear future, the Asan Nuclear Policy and Technology Center (Director Shin Chang-Hoon) will seek out balanced policies and consider both the political and technical aspects of nuclear issues. Furthermore, through its activities the Center will strive to further the goals of achieving a nuclear-weapons-free Korean Peninsula and the expansion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 

Congratulatory remark by the second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kim Sung-han