Polish President Andrzej Duda said on the 14th (local time), "Korean and Polish companies are promoting the development of the Polish Pomtnoff nuclear power plant, and I hope this cooperation will produce tangible results."
He made these remarks in his opening speech at the Korea-Poland Forum, which was held for the first time at the Krynica Forum, a political, economic, and security forum in Krynica, southeastern Poland. He said, "Nuclear power is a very important element in Poland's energy transition."
Despite ongoing disputes after the U.S. nuclear company Westinghouse filed an intellectual property lawsuit against Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Korea Electric Power Corporation regarding the export of the next-generation Korean-type nuclear power plant, the Polish government began internal procedures last month to introduce the next-generation Korean-type nuclear power plant.
State-owned Polish Power Company (PGE), together with the private power company ZE PAK, submitted an Application for a Basic Decision to the Ministry of Climate and Environment on the 16th of last month (local time) to build 2 to 4 units of the next-generation Korean-type pressurized water reactors (APR1400) in cooperation with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power in the Pomtnoff area.
Obtaining the basic decision is an essential procedure to proceed with nuclear power plant construction, meaning that the Polish government approves investment for the introduction of the next-generation Korean-type nuclear power plant.
President Duda added, "In the defense sector, Poland is becoming Korea's most important customer and partner," saying, "We have signed contracts with Korea for FA-50 fighter jets, Cheonmu multiple rocket launchers, K2 tanks, and K9 self-propelled howitzers, and we aim to export to neighboring countries through joint production with Korea. We hope to cover the entire European market."
He said, "This is also an important issue for the reconstruction of Ukraine," adding, "Korea and Poland have signed four memorandums of understanding related to Ukraine's reconstruction, including infrastructure development."
He stated, "Korea is Poland's second-largest trading partner and the third-largest export country in Asia, with 550 Korean companies currently operating in Poland," and said, "Korea is the most important and top advanced technology country, a true leader."
Polish President Andrzej Duda is delivering the opening speech at the first Korea-Poland Forum held in Krynica, Poland, on the 14th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in his opening speech that "As the global economic environment shifts toward eco-friendly low carbon, Korea and Poland share policy directions such as reducing coal power generation, expanding renewable energy, and promoting the hydrogen economy," and added, "In the future, close cooperation is expected in the nuclear power sector, a representative zero-carbon energy source."
He emphasized, "K-defense is developing a close defense cooperation relationship with Poland based on world-class technology and rapid supply capabilities," and said, "We expect to contribute to strengthening mutual defense capabilities by cooperating not only in defense exports but also in local production, joint research and development, and various other fields."
Prime Minister Han continued, "Korea and Poland will cooperate for the reconstruction of Ukraine based on their shared experience of post-war recovery," explaining, "Korea will share national growth and know-how to move beyond post-war recovery toward the future, and will support not only infrastructure construction but also excellent talent development and other software support."
He also emphasized that companies, governments, and public institutions will form Team Korea to support Ukraine's reconstruction through collaboration with Poland in various fields such as transportation, infrastructure, nuclear power and energy, and industrial complexes.
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