[Reporter’s Notebook] Nuclear Power Plant Exports Should Not Become a Political Battleground

Demonstrating Cooperation on Export and Economic Issues

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]

On the 20th (local time), key figures from the political and business sectors related to nuclear power from Korea and the Czech Republic gathered at the Doosan Skoda Power plant in Plze? Region, about a 1 hour and 40 minutes drive from Prague, Czech Republic. This was to attend the presidential and prime ministerial factory inspection and signing ceremony held during President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to the Czech Republic. On that day, the two countries signed as many as 13 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in major sectors of the nuclear power ecosystem, thereby establishing a full-fledged 'nuclear alliance' between Korea and the Czech Republic.

The significance of the event held at the Doosan Skoda Power plant goes beyond merely signing documents. The gathering of President Yoon, the Chief of Policy, the National Security Office chief, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the chairmen of Doosan and Daewoo Construction at the Plze? plant demonstrates Korea's determination to secure the Czech nuclear power project. A nuclear industry official met on site said, "When the Korean president personally visits the factory, the Czech authorities inevitably pay more attention," adding, "It is a great encouragement for local companies."

Many local employees wearing 'DOOSAN' work uniforms were also seen at the site. They reportedly greeted President Yoon with smiling faces whenever he passed through the factory facilities, showing their interest. The Czech media's enthusiasm for coverage was also intense. A presidential office official hinted, "It felt like everyone here knew how important Korea is as a partner." A local nuclear industry official said, "Since the Do?kovany nuclear power project award and President Yoon's visit to the Czech Republic, the atmosphere has greatly improved."

President Yoon brought as many as seven ministerial-level officials to the Czech Republic. Compared to the usual two to three ministers attending a state visit, this was an unprecedented 'high-level full deployment.' It is a symbolic scene showing Korea's determination to win the largest nuclear power construction project in Czech history. This move is surely being watched not only by competitor France but also by countries hoping to introduce nuclear power such as the Netherlands and Finland. It is clear that President Yoon and the government's efforts will have a positive effect on the final contract for the Do?kovany nuclear power plant early next year and additional exports to Europe.

However, the opposition party sharply criticized from the first day of the Czech visit, claiming that this nuclear power project would cause "trillions of won in losses" and that the Czech visit was a stubborn move pushed to raise President Yoon's approval ratings. In the case of the Do?kovany nuclear power plant, there remain several obstacles such as objections from the American company Westinghouse and the distribution of shares to Czech companies. However, this does not warrant disparaging the project itself. Winning a 24 trillion won contract is beneficial to national interests in itself. If there are problems, they should be solved together, and internal conflicts should not arise before the final contract.

It is said that only a few countries have the capacity to export nuclear power plants to other countries: the United States, China, Russia, France, and Korea. Among them, the United States is not as proactive as Korea in supplying nuclear power, and many countries are reluctant to form partnerships with China and Russia due to geopolitical risks. If Korea has decided to develop its nuclear power industry, now is the right time. Even if the opposition party takes a hard line on domestic political issues, they should show cooperation on export and economic issues. If the government, the National Assembly, and the private sector join forces, the day may come when Korea stands tall as a leading player in the global nuclear power market worth up to 1,000 trillion won.