South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright met in Washington to reaffirm the need for swift progress in Seoul's efforts to secure civil uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing rights, as well as to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The meeting discussed the implementation of a joint fact sheet (JFS) released in November, outlining trade and security agreements from summits between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in August and October.
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington on February 4, 2026. The two officials discussed a range of issues, including the implementation of a joint fact sheet (JFS) released by the two governments in November 2025. This JFS outlines trade and security agreements stemming from summits between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in August and October 2025. Key elements of the JFS include the United States' approval for South Korea to build nuclear-powered attack submarines and its support for a process that will lead to South Korea's civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful uses. According to the South Korean foreign ministry, the two sides reaffirmed a shared understanding of the need to swiftly make concrete progress on the enrichment and reprocessing segment, as well as cooperation over nuclear-powered submarines, which are part of the JFS. For this, they agreed to promptly seek earnest working-level consultations. Cho expressed expectations that Seoul and Washington will further strengthen strategic nuclear energy cooperation through the expansion of collaboration in the enrichment and reprocessing area, while Wright agreed to actively cooperate to help make tangible progress in the area. The two sides also agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation to promote civil nuclear energy cooperation, including the pursuit of joint business opportunities in third countries. This meeting underscores ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral nuclear ties.
