Press Release

27 March 2012

President Zuma concludes a successful Visit to the Republic of Korea

President Jacob Zuma has concluded a successful visit to the Republic of Korea, where he led a South African delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit, which took place under the theme: "Beyond Security, Towards Peace".

President Zuma said the Summit reviewed progress made since the April 2010 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, United States of America, and raised the need for further international cooperation on nuclear security.

"The Summit provided a forum to raise awareness and to support the work of existing bodies on nuclear security, especially the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA plays an important role in our common efforts to strengthen nuclear security, thereby contributing to preventing nuclear terrorism.

"In our desire to create a forum to raise awareness on nuclear security, we cannot ignore the reality that only the verifiable and irreversible elimination of nuclear weapons will ultimately prevent the use of such weapons.

"Our international legally binding obligations on nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation allow for the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes only, irrespective of the enrichment level," said President Zuma.

On the sidelines of the Summit, President Zuma held bilateral talks with his counterparts from the People's Republic of China, HE President Hu Jintao, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, HE Mariano Rajoy, and the President of the Republic of Korea, HE Myung-bak Lee, focusing on strengthening bilateral political and economic cooperation. 

The delegation supporting President Zuma at the Summit included the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and the Minister of Energy, Ms Dipuo Peters.

Enquires: Clayson Monyela on 082 884 5974

Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)

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