2010년 12월 12일 일요일

President Lee seeks support for S.Korea-Malaysia ties on nuclear energy

KUALA LUMPUR (Yonhap News) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak assured Malaysia business leaders Friday that the two Asian nations have great potential for cooperation on nuclear energy as well as joint development of other green technologies.

"South Korea's experience in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants will be able to give substantial help to Malaysia's future energy plan," Lee said in a speech at a business forum held on the occasion of his two-day state visit here. It was attended by more than 300 business leaders from the two countries, including Syed Ali Alattas, head of the Malaysian Malay Chamber of Commerce, and his South Korean counterpart Sohn Kyung-shik.

Lee stressed the efficacy and safety of South Korean reactors, saying there have been no accidents during South Korea's operation of atomic power plants across the nation for 32 years. In addition, he said, the operation rate reaches the world's top level at 92 percent, despite relatively short construction periods.

South Korea, which produces 36 percent of its total energy demand at 20 nuclear power plants, has been emboldened by a $20-billion contract with the United Arab Emirates to build nuclear reactors there. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to be held as early as next month.

The president said South Korea and Malaysia also need to step up cooperation on green growth.

"We can create new business opportunities by combining Malaysia's affluent resources, including bio-energy and South Korea's superb green technologies," he said.

He added South Korea's advanced information-technology sector can be helpful as well in upgrading Malaysia's telecommunication and transportation networks.

In their summit earlier in the day, Lee and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak agreed to "further cooperate on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy" as stated in a 2009 accord between their relevant government agencies.

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