The government and the U.S. have agreed to collaborate in building a heavy ion accelerator complex in South Korea, which will serve as a key facility in the international science belt.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Lee Ju-ho and U.S. Energy Department Secretary Steven Chu signed the arrangement in the field of high-energy and nuclear physics to that effect in Washington D.C. on Friday.

The agreement will have the U.S. provide South Korea with cutting-edge equipment and the technology needed to build the heavy ion accelerator complex, which will be known as Korea Rare Isotope Accelerator (KORIA). It will also allow for personnel exchange.

Minister Lee proposed to the U.S. to exchange experts and share information when conducting anti-radiation drills, citing the radioactive substance leakage in Fukushima, Japan.