The chief of the Science, ICT and Future Planning Ministry has met with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog to discuss cooperation between South Korea and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In the meeting with IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano in Seoul on Wednesday, Minister Choi Yang-hee said that South Korea has been participating in the IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative and Program for Action for Cancer Therapy since its status changed from beneficiary to contributor.

The minister also thanked the UN watchdog for appointing Hahn Do-hee, a researcher at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, as the director of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Power.

Choi asked the Amano for his attention and support to facilitate more contributions from South Korean experts to both the organization and international community.

Amano expressed hope that the IAEA and South Korea will actively cooperate on issues of common interest to promote peaceful use of nuclear energy.