Pre-Visit Interview with Reuters Before Czech Trip
Confidence in Final Nuclear Power Plant Contract
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that there is "no need to worry" about the Czech nuclear power plant project, which is scheduled for final contract signing in March next year.
According to the presidential office on the 19th, President Yoon made these remarks in a written interview with Reuters ahead of his visit to the Czech Republic. Reuters published an article titled "President Yoon Confident in Signing Czech Nuclear Power Plant Construction Contract Despite Legal Disputes."
President Yoon said, "We will closely communicate with the Czech government to ensure the smooth signing of the final contract and the successful completion of the project," adding, "Above all, the success of the new Czech nuclear power plant project is most important."
Regarding the intellectual property (IP) dispute with the U.S.-based nuclear company Westinghouse, he said, "The governments of South Korea and the United States are working to foster a friendly atmosphere between the companies, and I believe this will lead to an amicable resolution of the dispute between the two companies."
He continued, "Under the firm foundation of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, there is a strong consensus on the necessity of nuclear cooperation between the two countries," emphasizing, "There is no need to worry about the nuclear power plant project."
Earlier, in July, the Czech Republic selected Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power as the preferred bidder for the new nuclear power plant project, but Westinghouse, which lost the bidding competition, raised objections claiming that KHNP used reactor design technology for which it holds patents.
President Yoon said, "Since the war in Ukraine, illegal military and economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea has intensified, highlighting the growing need to strengthen cooperation with European countries that share our values, including the Czech Republic."
He also emphasized strategic coordination with value-sharing countries like the Czech Republic, explaining, "We intend to seek joint response measures with the Czech government regarding North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development and the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea."
President Yoon added, "Any acts that threaten the safety and lives of our people cannot be tolerated," and stated, "We make it clear that there will be consequences if our security is threatened."
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