SEOUL: The Czech Republic is confident it will finalize a nuclear power plant deal with South Korea, according to Czech National Security Adviser Tomas Pojar. Pojar made this statement during a meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday.
This confidence comes despite Westinghouse Electric, a US nuclear energy firm, filing an appeal with Prague last month. The appeal challenges the decision to select Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder for the construction of two nuclear power units, Yonhap news agency reported.
“For the Czech Republic, we firmly believe that we will conclude a final contract with South Korea for the construction of the nuclear power plant in Dukovany,” Pojar said, referring to the site in southeastern Czech Republic.
Pojar, who is in Seoul preparing for President Yoon’s upcoming trip to the Czech Republic, also mentioned that the Czech government is interested in expanding cooperation across various sectors, including nuclear energy, industry, investment, defense, and transportation.
President Yoon assured Pojar of full support to ensure the success of the nuclear project and sought Pojar’s help in broadening “mutually beneficial cooperation,” according to the presidential office. Yoon also expressed his aim to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries during his planned visit later this month.
The nuclear project, estimated to cost around 24 trillion won ($17.3 billion), is expected to be finalized by the first quarter of next year. It will represent South Korea’s second nuclear power plant export, following its 2009 project in the United Arab Emirates.
Westinghouse, one of the bidders for the project, has filed an appeal with the Czech anti-monopoly office, alleging that KHNP’s reactors use its technology. South Korean officials have noted that Westinghouse is reiterating claims from ongoing legal disputes.
