By Kim Hwaya

A government-run think tank on Aug. 26 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. on cooperation in export controls, confirming the credibility of Korea's related system despite Japan's trade sanctions on Korea spurred by doubts over the latter's capabilities in the field.

The Korea Strategic Trade Institute (KOSTI), an affiliate of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy that manages the import and export of strategic items, signed the MOU with the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semi-autonomous agency under the U.S. Department of Energy, for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction).

Through this MOU, both governments will share information on exports of dual-use strategic items and hold joint seminars to foster and exchange experts in the field.

KOSTI Director Bang Soon-ja said, "As this business agreement constitutes cooperation with an agency directly related to U.S. national security, it will serve as an opportunity to confirm Korea's status as a leading country for the control of strategic material exports."

In May this year, Korea (17th) was rated far higher than Japan (36th) in the rankings of 200 countries in the control of strategic materials by the U.S.-based Institute for Science and International Security.

fayastory@korea.kr