AMMAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and South Korea will finalize a deal on nuclear cooperation for peaceful purposes later this year, local daily The Jordan Times reported Thursday.

    The deal aims at enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy, including nuclear technology transfer, the South Korean embassy in Amman said in a statement.

    Both sides have agreed to cooperate in several areas, including technical assistance, site selection, designing, construction and nuclear safety, among others, the statement added.

    Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) Khalid Touqan and South Korean Ambassador to Jordan Bongkil Shin will initiate the draft agreement on behalf of their countries.

    Unlike its oil-rich neighbors, Jordan lacks energy resources. It imports 95 percent of its energy consumption, which annually costs nearly a quarter of its revenue, said official data.

    In January 2007, Jordan announced a civil nuclear energy program, under which a nuclear plant will be set up by 2015 and nuclear power is expected to make up 30 percent of its energy production by 2030.

    So far, Jordan has signed similar deals with countries including the United States, Britain, Canada, France and China.