Czech Republic Temporarily Suspends Korean Nuclear Power Plant Contract... "Competitor's Objection" (Comprehensive)

“It Does Not Suggest How to Decide”

On the 30th (local time), major foreign media reported that the Czech antitrust authority temporarily suspended the contract for the new nuclear power plant construction project between the Czech government and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

An official from the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS) stated, "We proactively made the decision after accepting objections from ?lectricit? de France (EDF) and Westinghouse," adding, "This does not indicate how the issue will be ultimately resolved."

The Czech power company CEZ, which commissioned the project, told foreign media, "We are confident that we complied with relevant laws from the time of selecting the preferred bidder."

In July, the Czech government selected Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power as the preferred bidder for the additional construction of the Dukovany nuclear power plant and planned to finalize the contract by March next year. EDF and the American company Westinghouse, which lost in the bidding competition, filed objections with the Czech antitrust authority after the preferred bidder was selected.

In particular, Westinghouse claimed that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power used reactor design technology patented by Westinghouse without its permission, arguing that a third party cannot use this technology without their consent.

[Image source=Yonhap News]