PRIME TIME NEWS 22:00

Korea and the United States reach an agreement... that′s expected to open up vast opportunities for Seoul′s nuclear energy program.
And despite mounting pressure for an apology,... Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ends up only expressing deep remorse for WWII.
The Korean prosecution is speeding up its investigation into a high-profile bribery scandal,... arresting a key aide of the late businessman Sung Woan-jong.
Stay tuned... for these stories and more.

Welcome to Prime Time News on this Wednesday... April 22nd.
I′m Hwang Ji-hye.
And I′m Daniel Choy.
Thanks for tuning in.
Title: Korea, U.S. agree on new nuclear cooperation deal
Our top story... Korea and the United States have agreed to update their civilian atomic energy accord.
The deal paves the way for Korea, the world′s sixth-largest atomic power generator, to expand its energy operations.
Hwang Sung-hee starts us off.
After nearly five years of negotiations, South Korea and the United States agreed on a new nuclear cooperation pact on Wednesday.

“As the existing accord sealed 40 years ago had various components that needed to be improved, the new deal shows progress in three main areas spent fuel management, a steady fuel supply and reactor export promotion."

The previous accord prohibited reprocessing and uranium enrichment activities in Korea.
The new deal opens the door to experimental reprocessing of fuel,... known as "Pyroprocessing".
This method, which is less likely to produce fuel for military purposes, has long been seen as an ideal way to recycle spent fuel,... helping to address Korea′s used-fuel storage concerns.
Under the agreement, Korean scientists can conduct local research using U.S.-origin spent fuel.
Even though Washington will continue to ensure a reliable supply of fuel for 23 reactors in Korea, the revisions will permit low-grade uranium enrichment if agreed upon by both parties.
The deal also allows Korea to transfer American nuclear equipment and related materials to a third country,...and promises to speed up Washington′s authorization process for nuclear imports and exports.
These measures will create more opportunities for Korea′s nuclear export industry.
Both countries say the updates are a big improvement.
"In sum, the proposed agreement is one of the most sophisticated and dynamic peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement we′ve ever negotiated and this speaks to the state of the art nature of ROK′s peaceful nuclear program."
Experts echo the view, saying most of Korea′s demands have been met.
The updated agreement will be valid for 20 years.

"The new deal will come into force only after the completion of executive and legislative processes in Seoul and Washington, which will likely occur before the existing agreement expires next March.
Hwang Sung-hee, Arirang News."
Title: Revised nuclear deal reflects Korean interests: Pres. Park Geun-hye
President Park

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