SanJawi to Question Westinghouse Agreement... Great Whale and Semiconductor Law Disputes Also Expected

Plenary Session of the Industry Committee Set for the Morning of the 19th
Inquiries Expected on the Westinghouse Agreement Controversy in the Nuclear Power Sector
Partisan Disputes Anticipated Over the Semiconductor Act After Subcommittee Deadlock

The National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Industry Committee) is expected to hold inquiries regarding the Westinghouse agreement, amid industry concerns that Korean nuclear power companies may have lost their business leadership. There will also likely be partisan disputes over the Daewang Whale Project and the 52-hour workweek under the Semiconductor Special Act.

On the 26th, the Subcommittee on Industrial, Trade, and Energy Patents of the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Venture Businesses Committee was held at the National Assembly. During the subcommittee meeting, the "Special Act on Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness and Innovative Growth (Semiconductor Special Act)" and other matters were discussed. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At 10 a.m. on the 19th, during the first plenary session of the Industry Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, inquiries on these matters are scheduled to take place. The session will also include reports on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and other relevant agencies, as well as the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand.

During the session, Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Seong-mu is expected to question the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) regarding the Westinghouse agreement. After KHNP and the U.S. nuclear company Westinghouse reached a settlement on intellectual property disputes, the two companies jointly entered the European nuclear power market. This has led to industry speculation that Korean nuclear companies may have lost their leadership in the European market. Additionally, inquiries are expected regarding the unification of nuclear power exports to expand the nuclear industry’s export market and the settlement conflicts between KEPCO and KHNP related to the UAE nuclear power construction project.

The partisan debate over the 52-hour workweek under the Semiconductor Special Act is also a key point to watch. At the first subcommittee meeting on industry, trade, and intellectual property held on the 17th, the Semiconductor Special Act was reviewed, but discussions were hindered due to conflicts between ruling and opposition parties over the exemption clause for research and development (R&D) workers from the 52-hour workweek. The ruling party is expected to push for the passage of the bill excluding this clause based on bipartisan agreement, while the opposition party is likely to insist on passing the bill including the clause, suggesting that the debate will remain at an impasse.

Intense partisan disputes are also anticipated regarding the Daewang Whale Project. On the 6th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the results of the first exploratory drilling, stating that "the level was not sufficient to secure economic feasibility." People Power Party lawmaker Kang Seung-gyu stated, "During the first drilling, an oil preservation layer was found, indicating the possibility of oil deposits," and added, "I plan to demand additional drilling." The opposition party is expected to hold the government accountable for the project's failure.

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jae-gwan is known to plan inquiries on urgent issues concerning crisis industries such as steel and aluminum. Since the Trump administration in the U.S. announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, there have been calls for measures to support domestic companies.