SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- The worst nuclear disaster in Japan earlier this year reminded the international community of the need to cooperate for both safe use of atomic energy and nuclear disarmament, the key agendas for the upcoming global security summit to be held here next year, a former chief of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said.
Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered massive radiation leaks after it was struck by an earthquake and tsunami last March, the world's worst nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
"Fukushima is a bump in the nuclear road but not the end of it," Hans Blix, former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters in downtown Seoul Monday.
Blix, also a former Swedish foreign minister, arrived here Monday for a three-day visit to participate in the first meeting of the "Eminent Persons Group" set for Tuesday. The group's 15 former leaders and ministers from all over the world will advise South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on nuclear security issues in the run-up to a global summit on the theme to be hosted by Seoul next March.
The second Nuclear Security Summit slated for March 26 and 27 in Seoul will bring together some 50 world leaders discuss how to prevent terrorists and other non-state actors from getting hold of potentially harmful nuclear materials.
"The nuclear power is an indispensable part of no- and low-carbon dioxide energies we must expand. No energy is obtained with zero risks," Blix said, stressing that risks from the source is relatively low especially in environmental terms.
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While chances of imminent possible nuclear terrorism are low, "we need the vigilance against both attacks on the nuclear power plants and by dirty bombs to reduce risks," he said.
Speaking about Pyongyang's nuclear activities, Blix expressed concerns over its possible links with Iran and Pakistan, but advised South Korea and the U.S. to take softer approaches to the communist country.
"Their provocative behaviors were based on the perception that they are threatened. So I think more measured responses are wiser," he said, adding the allies need to show willingness to "discuss Pyongyang's precondition of economic assistance" instead of pushing for their demand of "stopping enrichment."
Along with efforts to prevent dangerous entities from having nuclear materials, the former IAEA chief stressed the importance of disarmament movements by the world's major nuclear states.
"Great powers said the greatest threat to the world is terrorists. It is good but not enough," he said, adding "The focus now should also be the disarmament in general. Disarmament and diffusing tensions are important to move things in the right direction."
Blix underscored Seoul's role in the upcoming nuclear security summit to achieve the disarmament, saying South Korea can be "well placed to urge disarmament as it is a medium-sized country and does not have nuclear weapons."
"Korea is a shining example in the world as it has much experience in nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation. That gives Korea a good basis to act as a host."
graceoh@yna.co.kr
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