South Korea on Monday established an independent agency for nuclear control in Daejeon city, some 200 kilometers south to Seoul, according to a news advisory released by South Korean Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The MOST held a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the National Nuclear Control

Agency (NNCA) on Monday afternoon.

The agency's establishment came after South Korean government admitted earlier that two groups of scientists conducted secret nuclear material experiments in 1982 and 2000, respectively.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has dispatched three batches of investigators to the Asian country to probe the two experiments.

South Korea set up the NNCA as an effort to strengthen the transparency and reliability on nuclear energy related activities, the advisory said.

"By establishing the NNCA, the government will strengthen the implementation activities under the 'Four Principles on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy'," said the advisory.

"South Korea will also reassure the international society and the IAEA of its firm willingness to spirit of non-proliferation," the advisory added.

The South Korean government on Sept. 18 made a four-point statement on nuclear policy, which says: "South Korea will not pursue a nuclear program for military purposes, and will enhance transparency of all nuclear activities and step up international cooperation.

South Korea will abide by international regulations aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation, meanwhile will expand nuclear energy for peaceful purposes based on transparency."

Source: Xinhua