S. Korean government to ban bio weapons development

Source: Xinhuanet | 11-12-2006 18:39

The South Korean government announced Sunday that it will ban the development and unreported possession of biological weapons from 2007.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said in a statement that all development, manufacturing and possession of biological weapons, as well as the trading and transportation of bio-products used in manufacturing such weapons will be banned under a revision of the law on chemical and biological development in April next year.

Biological products that are needed for peaceful purposes, such as in clinical treatments, should be reported to authorities beforehand, and those who already own such goods will be obliged to report them starting from January, the ministry said.

The South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the amendment over bio weapons reflects the government's will to take part in a U.S.- led international campaign to curb weapons of mass destruction. South Korea joined the multilateral Biological Weapons Convention in 1978.

Editor:Lu Yuying