Yoon "South Korea, the Optimal Partner for Czech Republic"
Piala "No Doubt in Final Contract"
13 MOUs Signed in Key Nuclear Power Sectors
President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala after completing the full-cycle nuclear power cooperation agreement ceremony and turbine blade signing ceremony at Doosan ?koda Power factory in the Pilsen industrial complex, Czech Republic, on the 20th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 20th (local time), "The optimal partner for the Czech nuclear power plant project is none other than the Republic of Korea," adding, "With nuclear power cooperation as a stepping stone, Korea and the Czech Republic will become the future leaders of the global nuclear power renaissance era."
During his official visit to the Czech Republic, President Yoon made these remarks while visiting the Doosan Skoda Power plant in Plze?, a company possessing core turbine technology for power generation, together with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
President Yoon stated, "The Republic of Korea started construction of its first nuclear power plant in 1971 when its GDP per capita was less than 300 dollars," and added, "Since then, over a period of more than 50 years, we have safely operated all 30 nuclear reactors."
He continued, "The four Barakah nuclear reactors in the UAE have been completed on schedule, one reactor each year since 2021, and are regarded as the most successful nuclear power construction case," emphasizing, "The promise of ‘On Time, On Budget’ kept during the Barakah nuclear power plant construction will be equally upheld in the Czech Republic."
President Yoon explained, "The turbines manufactured here at Doosan Skoda Power will be used in the new nuclear power plants," and added, "We also signed an agreement to jointly develop additional equipment supply chains beyond turbines."
He further stated, "Not only in nuclear power plant construction but also across the entire nuclear power ecosystem including design, operation, nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste, the two countries have agreed to cooperate," and said, "The government will spare no support to ensure that the nuclear cooperation promises made by the nuclear industries of both countries today are faithfully implemented."
President Yoon explained, "Currently, more than 100 nuclear power plants are under construction worldwide, and a market exceeding 100 trillion won will open," adding, "Many countries are paying attention to the fact that expanding nuclear power is a triple-win solution for stable power supply for advanced industries, achieving carbon neutrality, and solving energy security issues."
He also added, "If excellent nuclear power companies from Korea and the Czech Republic join forces in Plze? and Dukovany, the nuclear power plants built together by the two countries will brighten the nights of Prague even more and power electric vehicles in unfamiliar countries to run vigorously."
President Yoon Suk-yeol smiles with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala after completing the full-cycle nuclear power cooperation agreement ceremony and turbine blade signing ceremony at Doosan ?koda Power factory in the Pilsen industrial complex, Czech Republic, on the 20th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
Prime Minister Fiala also said in his congratulatory speech, "Nuclear technology is the best and most suitable energy source for the Czech environment," and added, "The Czech Republic has revised all necessary laws for the nuclear power project. There is no future for the Czech Republic without nuclear power plants."
He continued, "I have no doubt that (the final contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) will be made," emphasizing, "Once the contract is signed, another nuclear power plant will be added in the Czech Republic. I believe Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power will complete it well."
Prime Minister Fiala said that up to 60% of the new nuclear power plant construction project will involve Czech local companies, but added, "However, Czech companies should not take this for granted. Rather, the opposite."
He explained, "Of course, 'Team Korea' will also have to work hard to fill the 60%, but Czech companies must also make efforts and submit their experience and results to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power."
At the signing ceremony that day, a total of 13 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed in major sectors constituting the nuclear power ecosystem. President Yoon and Prime Minister Fiala attended the signing events of five MOUs, including the nuclear cooperation MOU between the ministries of industry and the MOU confirming turbine supply for the Czech nuclear power project.
After the ceremony, President Yoon and Prime Minister Fiala held a signing event together on the blades (rotating wings) attached to the turbines. The presidential office explained that the joint signing symbolizes the cooperative will of the Republic of Korea and the Czech Republic to build nuclear power plants together and for the governments to support cooperation between companies.
After the event at Doosan Skoda Power, President Yoon and Prime Minister Fiala visited Skoda JS nearby to inspect the nuclear power equipment production site.
About 200 officials from Korea and the Czech Republic attended the event. On the Korean side were Park Jung-won, Chairman of Doosan Group; Jung Won-joo, Chairman of Daewoo Construction; Hwang Ju-ho, President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power; Ahn Deok-geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office; and Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of the Policy Office, and on the Czech side were Josef Sikela, Minister of Industry and Trade; and Dana Dr?bov?, Chairperson of the Nuclear Safety Authority.
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