Yoon on Czech Contract: "Thorough Strengthening of Nuclear Ecosystem by Relevant Ministries... Considering Dispatch of Special Envoy"

Order to Strengthen Follow-up Measures at Chief Secretary Meeting

President Yoon Suk-yeol is giving closing remarks at the 27th "Public Livelihood Discussion with the People: Jeonbuk, the Economic Forward Base Opening the New West Coast Era," held on the 18th at JB Group Aureum Campus in Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 22nd urged related ministries to make every effort to strengthen the nuclear power ecosystem in connection with the Czech nuclear power plant contract.

On the same day, at a senior secretaries meeting presided over by the president, President Yoon ordered the reinforcement of follow-up measures regarding the recent contract for the Czech nuclear power plant, spokesperson Jung Hye-jeon conveyed in a written briefing.

The Presidential Office stated, "President Yoon instructed the related ministries to thoroughly strengthen the nuclear power ecosystem" and added, "The dispatch of a special envoy to the Czech Republic is under consideration."

At the 27th 'Public Discussion on Livelihoods' held in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk on the 18th, President Yoon also remarked on the Czech contract, saying, "This is a great achievement 15 years after the Barakah nuclear power plant contract, and the amount is incomparably larger than before," emphasizing, "Above all, it is very meaningful that our chances of exporting nuclear power plants to Europe have increased."

He continued, "The nuclear power industry was on the brink of collapse overall, but by overcoming the nuclear phase-out policy and following the global trend, we have restored the nuclear power industry, which will bring great benefits to our entire industry and regions."

President Yoon said, "The global nuclear power market is estimated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be worth 1,000 trillion won," adding, "We will continue to establish a foothold in the international nuclear power market so that many citizens can have good jobs here, and it can serve as a starting point for the development of our economy."

Earlier, on the 17th (local time), the Czech government held a cabinet meeting and officially announced that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was selected as the preferred negotiator for the country's new nuclear power plant construction project, estimated at around 24 trillion won.