"Westinghouse Dispute Expected to Be Resolved Amicably"
"Korea-US to Advance Comprehensive Global Alliance"
National Security Office Director Shin Won-sik (left) and First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo of the National Security Office are heading to Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 19th to accompany President Yoon Seok-yeol on his official visit to the Czech Republic. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office, stated on the 23rd that there is "indeed a positive atmosphere" regarding the possibility of finalizing the contract for the Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project in the Czech Republic in March next year, and he expects that negotiations with the U.S. company Westinghouse, which raised objections, will be resolved smoothly.
On the same day, Shin appeared on Yonhap News TV in the morning and said, "During President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to the Czech Republic, I met with the Czech President, Prime Minister, Speakers of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, governors of the two provinces where the nuclear plants will be built, and Czech businesspeople," adding, "All of them unanimously strongly hope for nuclear cooperation with Korea."
He continued, "Through nuclear cooperation, both countries have formed a consensus to advance toward comprehensive economic cooperation," and said, "Our government will do its best to maintain close communication with the Czech Republic until the end and deliver good news to the public."
Regarding the objection raised by the U.S. nuclear company Westinghouse to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power being selected as the preferred negotiator for the Dukovany nuclear power plant project in July, he said, "We want to maintain a smooth relationship and are making efforts in that direction."
He explained, "With the nuclear renaissance, there are many areas where Korean and American companies can cooperate," adding, "Westinghouse won the contract for the Bulgarian nuclear plant, but Westinghouse lacks construction capability. It is likely that Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction will participate, and this will be confirmed next month."
He also said, "Besides that, Korea and the U.S. can cooperate extensively in equipment manufacturing, supply chains, and construction," and added, "Another important aspect is the stance of the Korean and U.S. governments. The Korea-U.S. alliance is evolving beyond a military alliance into a comprehensive global alliance, and nuclear cooperation is naturally included."
President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee are listening to a greeting from a representative of the Korean community at a dinner meeting for Czech compatriots held at a hotel in downtown Prague on the 20th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
Director Shin viewed the entry into the European nuclear power market positively, including the contract for two Temelin nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic.
He said, "Fifteen years after winning the Barakah nuclear power plant contract in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a green light has been turned on to target the European market through the Czech nuclear power plant contract," adding, "Over the past 50 years, we have proven our ability to deliver 'On Time, On Budget.' It is definitely possible."
Shin added, "The government will focus primarily on securing the Czech nuclear power plant contract and, at the same time, plans to draft a roadmap for the development of the nuclear industry within this year for the mid- to long-term."
He evaluated that through President Yoon's visit to the Czech Republic from the 19th to the 22nd, the two countries have established a foundation for cooperation across the entire nuclear ecosystem lifecycle.
Shin emphasized, "We have created an opportunity to develop Korea and the Czech Republic into global partners with a future-oriented relationship," and "Korea and the Czech Republic have formed a consensus to strengthen cooperation related to North Korea's nuclear threat, the military closeness between North Korea and Russia, support for Ukraine, and post-war reconstruction and recovery."
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