(2nd LD) S. Korea raises prospect for ‘nuclear energy alliance’ with Czech Republic through plant deal

President Yoon Suk Yeol held out the prospect of forging a "nuclear energy alliance" with the Czech Republic Thursday, pledging to ensure wide-ranging cooperation with Prague over the design and construction of nuclear reactors if a Korean consortium wins the country's power plant project. Yoon made the remarks after he held a summit with Czech President Petr Pavel as part of Seoul's stepped-up efforts to boost Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)'s bid for a project to build two nuclear power plants near Dukovany, southern Czechia. KHNP was selected as a preferred bidder in July. Pavel is said to have struck an optimistic note on KHNP's bid, according to a Seoul official. "Should a deal be struck and construction begin, (South Korea) will work together with the Czech Republic in all procedures involving the design and construction (of nuclear reactors)," Yoon said during a joint press conference at Prague Castle. "As we could cooperate not only on the development of new technologies but also on the cu ltivation of nuclear reactor personnel, a nuclear energy alliance can indeed be established," he added. Yoon also said that should the new Dukovany nuclear power plant be jointly established, it will serve as a "milestone" in the mutual economic development and energy cooperation of both nations, further strengthening our strategic partnership." President Yoon Suk Yeol (L) and Czech President Petr Pavel speak during a joint press conference held at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic on Sept. 20, 2024. (Yonhap) Yoon's trip comes at a time when the project faces a legal challenge as U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric filed an appeal with Czech authorities last month, arguing that KHNP's reactor designs are based on its technology. The deal, estimated at around 24 trillion won (US$17.3 billion), will mark South Korea's second nuclear power plant export, following its 2009 project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is expected to be finalized by the first quarter of next year. Yoon said Seoul and Washingto n both support a "smooth resolution" regarding the intellectual property rights issue, adding he is "confident" that the issue will be resolved similarly to the KHNP's export deal with the UAE. "Both governments share a strong consensus on nuclear power cooperation regarding intellectual property rights, and our government is actively supporting the resolution of issues between South Korean and U.S. companies," Yoon said. During the talks, Pavel expressed optimism over the Korean consortium's bid, and pledged to leverage the project to further advance bilateral ties, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said in a briefing. In light of the nuclear project, Yoon said the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in various fields, including advanced technology, energy security and climate responses as well as bio, digital, transportation and infrastructure. During the summit, Yoon and Pavel expressed concerns over the growing military ties between North Korea and Russia amid the ongoing war i n Ukraine. "North Korea will gain nothing from its reckless and irrational provocations that threaten peace and stability," Yoon said. "We reaffirmed that the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which violates U.N Security Council resolutions, is a serious threat to international peace and security." On the sidelines of the summit, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration for humanitarian aid and reconstruction of Ukraine. "Both governments will actively support the cooperation between companies from the two countries, including sharing business information, project development and attracting investment, as part of Ukraine's reconstruction efforts," Yoon said. Source: Yonhap News Agency