President Yoon Suk-yeol will make an official visit to the Czech Republic on the 19th to engage in sales diplomacy, including securing orders for nuclear power plant construction, and to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The visit will last for 2 nights and 4 days, until the 22nd. President Yoon will hold consecutive summit meetings in Prague with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Through these successive talks, President Yoon is expected to highlight South Korea's strengths as a leading nuclear technology power. Additionally, he will visit Pilsen, located about 90 km from Prague, to inspect nuclear-related companies.
Since next year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of establishing a 'strategic partnership,' discussions are also expected to focus on enhancing cooperation, including joint responses to North Korea's nuclear threats. The Presidential Office explained that both countries share structural industrial characteristics with high external economic dependence and developed manufacturing sectors, which is expected to create strong synergy effects through cooperation.
President Yoon's decision to visit the Czech Republic amid numerous domestic issues is aimed at lending top-level support to finalize the contract for the construction of two Dukovany nuclear reactors scheduled for March next year. Estimated at a total of 24 trillion won, the project is expected to bring economic ripple effects as well as revive the nuclear power business, which had been on the brink of collapse since the previous administration.
With the possibility of South Korea's second-ever nuclear power export after 15 years since the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a green light has been turned on. President Yoon is reported to be focusing on supporting the signing of the final contract during this visit.
The Czech economic delegation includes Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. This is the first time this year that the heads of the four major conglomerates are accompanying the president. Accordingly, cooperation is expected to be strengthened not only in nuclear power but also in advanced industries such as future cars, batteries, and hydrogen. President Yoon's wife, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, will also accompany him on this visit to the Czech Republic.
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