Cheong Wa Dae declines to confirm report on nuclear fuel purchase plan

SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's presidential office on Tuesday declined to comment on a media report that Seoul approached Washington to purchase nuclear fuel to operate a nuclear-powered submarine.

On Tuesday, Donga Ilbo reported that Kim Hyun-chong, Cheong Wa Dae deputy national security adviser, traveled to Washington in mid-September and expressed Seoul's wish to buy nuclear fuel from the United States to run a nuclear submarine.

The paper said Washington officials denied the request, citing its non-proliferation policy.

"We cannot confirm the facts (of the report)," a senior Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters Tuesday when asked about the matter.

The official also asked the media to exercise discretion in reporting on the matter, calling it an "issue of diplomacy and security related to national interest."

In August, the government announced in its defense blueprint for 2021-2025 a plan to build a 4,000-ton submarine. Speculations were raised then that the submarine may be equipped with a nuclear-based engine instead of a diesel-based one.

Cheong Wa Dae announced earlier that Kim visited the U.S. from Sept. 16-20 to discuss bilateral and geopolitical issues with various officials in Washington.

odissy@yna.co.kr
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