The government-owned The Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) signed a contract with a state-run North Korean trading firm on January 11, 1997 to transport 60,000 barrels of low-level nuclear waste to North Korea within two years. As the waste will be buried in Pingsan in South Hwanghae Province, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) from the border with South Korea, Seoul has vowed to block the shipment. North Korean's conflict with global community due to its nuclear program, facilities inspections and Non-Proliferation treaties has given the shipment deal attention from surrounding countries and environmental groups. However, the shipments are needed due to the food and economic in the country. Therefore, there is now debate over safety confirmations for the waste storage facilities and measures in North Korea as well as environmental concern for the shipment passages in the nearby seas.
