Yoon: "Korea and Cheko Seek Bio and Digital Cooperation... Establishing Foundation for Future Joint Growth"

President Yoon Holds Summit with Czech President Pavel
Strengthening Strategic Partnership on the Occasion of Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant
Both Leaders Reaffirm Serious Threat of North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation
Pavel: "Russia a Concern as a 'Rogue State' Like North Korea"

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Czech President Petr Pavel are holding a joint press conference between Korea and the Czech Republic at Prague Castle, Czech Republic, on the 19th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 19th (local time), "South Korea and the Czech Republic have agreed to explore concrete cooperation plans not only in nuclear power collaboration but also in the fields of bio, digital, and transportation infrastructure going forward."

During his official visit to the Czech Republic, President Yoon held a one-on-one and expanded meeting with President Petr Pavel in Prague and said at the joint press conference, "We will build a foundation for future co-growth based on advanced technology and applied science, beyond manufacturing-centered cooperation."

President Yoon stated, "Taking the Dukovany new nuclear power plant construction project, for which Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was selected as the preferred negotiator in July, as an opportunity, we have agreed to expand strategic cooperation for fostering advanced industries, securing energy security, and responding to the climate crisis," adding, "The Dukovany new nuclear power plant will be an important milestone that strengthens the strategic partnership as a symbol of the joint development of our economies and energy cooperation."

Referring to the fact that the annual trade volume between the two countries has set record highs for four consecutive years, President Yoon said, "Today, President Pavel and I comprehensively reviewed the remarkable progress in cooperation between our two countries since establishing diplomatic relations, and we held in-depth discussions on ways to develop and expand our strategic partnership into a more future-oriented and mutually beneficial relationship."

President Pavel also emphasized, "This bidding is a very significant opportunity for the Czech industry," and said, "We hope for a high level of localization in the nuclear power plant construction and expect about 60% participation from Czech companies."

He added, "Korean companies operating in the Czech Republic have already created 15,000 jobs, and if a new nuclear power plant construction contract is signed, the job creation effect will be even greater," and said, "We are exploring cooperation in various high value-added industrial sectors such as aerospace."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is holding an expanded summit meeting between Korea and the Czech Republic with President Petr Pavel at Prague Castle, Czech Republic, on the 19th (local time), attended by delegations from both countries. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon and President Pavel also discussed international security issues including North Korea and Ukraine.

President Yoon said, "North Korea gains nothing through reckless and irrational provocations that undermine peace and stability," and "We reaffirmed that the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which violates the United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions, poses a serious threat to international peace and security."

He continued, "The international community must send a firm and consistent message against these threats, and the two countries have agreed to closely cooperate to ensure thorough implementation of Security Council sanctions on North Korea."

He also said, "Based on strong solidarity and support, we will work together to find effective support measures so that the people of Ukraine can regain peace and normalcy," adding, "The governments of both countries will actively support Korean and Czech companies wishing to participate in Ukraine’s sectoral reconstruction projects to promote concrete cooperation such as sharing project information, joint project development, and joint investment attraction."

President Pavel said, "South Korea and the Czech Republic share not only democratic values but also positions on international global security," and added, "We are very concerned about cooperation with 'rogue states' like Russia and North Korea, which threaten global security, as well as cooperation with China and Iran."

On the 19th (local time), at the official welcoming ceremony held at the First Courtyard of Prague Castle in the Czech Republic, President Yoon Suk-yeol and Czech President Petr Pavel each presented bouquets to Eva Pavel, the wife of the Czech president, and Kim Keon-hee.
[Image source=Yonhap News]