Abstract
There are two major trends facing current international affairs on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear nonproliferation. One is so-called "Nuclear Renaissance" and the other is increasing serious concern on nuclear proliferation. The former represents the renewed interest in nuclear energy including the US GNEP (Global Nuclear Energy Partnership), review of the anti-nuclear energy policy in the Europe (except France and Russia) and the rapid expansion of the use of nuclear energy in the Asia. The latter includes a DPRK's nuclear test conducted in October 2006, the Iran's nuclear development program, "Nuclear Black Market" by Dr. A.Q. Khan of Pakistan and nuclear security concern after the 9.11 terrorist attack. In order to confront these situations, new mechanisms contributing both to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear nonproliferation have been explored in the international arena. Looking over the past, President Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" in 1953 opened the door to the outside world for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, in 1970s, President Carter demonstrated hard-line nonproliferation initiative, considering global nuclear proliferation threat in the wake of India's nuclear test in 1974. He also tried to explore new mechanisms for preventing further proliferation risk, such as International Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE). Now in the 21st Century, again, the various discussions for creating new mechanisms, including "Assurance of Supply" of nuclear fuel, are currently underway, in order to keep proper balance between the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear nonproliferation. In this article, we would like to delineate the current and past situations and proposed mechanisms. Then we will explore how we should deal with current frameworks comparing with those of the past.
