Breaking the Stalemate in U.S.-ROK Nuclear Cooperation Negotiations

According to most reports, the US-ROK 123 negotiations were expected to conclude by the end of 2014. However, more recent developments suggest that the negotiations will bleed over into 2015. Although it is accepted that the main points of the agreement have already been finalized, perceptions of the agreement by the South Korean public and certain US lawmakers may present possible roadblocks. Firmly rooting decisions in technical findings, benchmarking with other negotiations involving advanced civil nuclear countries, and emphasizing engagement with and education of the public and media may address issues of perceived discrimination in Korea and inconsistency in US approaches to civil nuclear cooperation.