South Korea wants end to controvery over its nuclear tests

South Korea has called for an early end to controversy over its secret nuclear experiments, saying this is hindering efforts to stop North Korea’s nuclear weapons drive. Unification Minister Chung Dong-Young expressed the wish in a meeting with Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Chung’s office said. ElBaradei is in Seoul to attend an anti-nuclear weapons forum while his inspectors are investigating Seoul’s unauthorized experiments to produce plutonium and enriched uranium — essential ingredients for atomic bombs.South Korea insists the lab experiments were purely for scientific purposes, not linked to nuclear weapons programs, but IAEA inspectors last month visited the country twice and are expected to visit again soon. ElBaradei has expressed “serious concern” about South Korea’s nuclear activities. The Vienna-based UN watchdog will hold a meeting of its board of directors in November to determine whether the matter ought to be referred to the UN Security Council.The UN watchdog wants South Korea to come clean about its past unauthorized nuclear experiments and not to repeat its mistake. Full Story