South Korea and Finland have initialed a nuclear energy pact aimed at ensuring the peaceful use of atomic power and boosting bilateral cooperation in the field, Seoul's trade ministry said Monday.

The agreement was reached at a bilateral meeting in Helsinki Friday between senior officials from South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Finland's Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the South Korean ministry said in a news release.

The two countries agreed to push for the pact's signing at an early date, the statement said, adding that the deal is expected to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy and strengthen cooperation in the field.

The agreement is also expected to help South Korean businesses gain easier access to the Finnish atomic power industry, which is technologically advanced in terms of nuclear waste disposal and nuclear safety.

Finland currently has four nuclear power plants in operation, with one under construction and two more planned for the future.

If signed, the nuclear energy accord with Finland will become South Korea's 28th, following similar agreements with the United States, Canada, Australia, and other nations. (Yonhap News)