Canada and the Republic of Korea sign Supplementary Arrangements

News Release

January 8, 2016 – Ottawa, ON

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of the Republic of Korea have signed Supplementary Arrangements.

The Supplementary Arrangements implement the provisions of the Agreements between Canada and the Republic of Korea that ensure the peaceful use of Canadian nuclear items. In addition to supporting the CNSC in its licensing of the export and import of nuclear items for peaceful uses, the Arrangements will facilitate the transfer of, and reporting on, nuclear material, material (heavy water and graphite), equipment and technology, as well as tritium-related items exchanged between Canada and the Republic of Korea.

Canada’s nuclear non-proliferation policy stipulates that nuclear exports can only be sent to those states which have concluded a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with Canada. The Canada–Republic of Korea NCA was signed on January 26, 1976 and enabled the supply of four CANDU reactors.

Specifically, the Supplementary Arrangements consolidate the various implementation documents associated with:

• The Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea for Co-operation in the Development and Application of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes. Signed in 1976, it is also referred to as the Canada–Republic of Korea Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA).
• The Exchange of Notes between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Canada Constituting an Agreement Relating to the Transfer of Tritium Items for the Wolsong Tritium Removal Facility. It was signed in 2001.
• The reciprocal Understanding, which is related to the above Exchange of Notes on the transfer of tritium items and was also signed in 2001.

Quotes

"The signing of the Arrangements between the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission reflects the shared commitment by both organizations to work collaboratively to facilitate nuclear cooperation, while maintaining strong and effective non-proliferation standards,” said CNSC President Michael Binder.

Quick facts

• A Supplementary Arrangement outlines the mechanisms used to implement the provisions contained in the NCA and includes the procedures to be followed by both parties. Canada has 30 NCAs covering 57 countries.
• In 2001, Canada and the Republic of Korea concluded a separate Exchange of Notes and a reciprocal Understanding, to facilitate the export of tritium-removal technology for the construction of the Wolsong Tritium Removal Facility by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.
• Tritium is a non-fissile material that can be used to enhance the explosive capability of a nuclear weapon while reducing its physical size. Given this characteristic, tritium and tritium-removal technology and equipment are subject to Canadian and multilateral nuclear export controls and require peaceful-use assurances.
• In addition to these Supplementary Arrangements, the CNSC maintains similar arrangements with many other countries.

Contact

Aurèle Gervais
Media and Community Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
613-996-6860
1-800-668-5284
cnsc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.ccsn@canada.ca

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