South Korea offers to help RI develop nuclear power

South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon said Monday that his country has offered to help Indonesia develop nuclear power, The Jakarta Post reported Tuesday.

"We hope that both (South) Korea and Indonesia will be able to conclude a nuclear energy cooperation agreement as soon as possible," Ban said.

"We are one of the countries with high technology and know-how in this area. I hope that as one of the areas in mutual cooperation, Indonesia can benefit from such know-how and technology," he added.

Ban made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda after bilateral talks.

According to Wirayuda, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed interest in building a nuclear power plant after a visit to a South Korean nuclear energy facility in Busan last year.

"President Yudhoyono has been very much impressed by the technology of South Korean nuclear energy," Wirajuda said.

He said that while no timetable or site has been decided, "certainly we are following with keen interest progress made by (South) Korea on nuclear energy development."

He added that possible cooperation in energy would also cover geothermal energy.

South Korea also offered to assist Indonesia in maritime security in the Strait of Malacca, which is also a vital route for many South Korean Ships.

Yudhoyono is expected to pay an official visit to Seoul in the coming month, while South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun is slated to visit Jakarta later this year.

South Korea is Indonesia's third largest trading partner, while Indonesia is South Korea's ninth largest trading partner. (*)