Ahn Dukgeun: "Czech Government Will Not Tolerate Excessive Delays in Nuclear Project"

Czech Court Suspends Administrative Procedures, Final Contract Not Signed
Ahn Dukgeun: "Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant Is a Key Project for the Czech Republic
...Delays Would Result in Enormous Opportunity Costs for the Country"
Czech Government and Power Company to Announce Position on Lawsuit on the 7th

Minister Ahn Dukgeun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated on the 6th (local time) that "the Czech government will not tolerate excessive delays in the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant project," referring to the postponed final contract for the construction of Units 5 and 6 at the Dukovany site in the Czech Republic.

On this day, Minister Ahn met with reporters in downtown Prague and said, "The Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant is an extremely important project for the Czech government as well. If there are unnecessary or excessive delays, it will result in significant opportunity costs," explaining the situation.

Minister Andeok Geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (left) is explaining to reporters in downtown Prague, Czech Republic, on the 6th (local time) the reasons for the delay in the final contract for the Dukovany nuclear power plant. (Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Joint Press Corps)

Electricite de France (EDF), which competed with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for the Czech nuclear project, filed a complaint with the Czech Competition Authority (UOHS), claiming that "there were issues in the selection process for the preferred bidder for the Dukovany new nuclear power plant project." However, UOHS dismissed the complaint last month. As a result, KHNP and CEZ's subsidiary EDUII agreed on April 30 to sign the main contract in Prague on May 7.

However, on May 2, EDF filed an administrative lawsuit with the Brno District Court, arguing that "UOHS did not properly review its objection," and requested an injunction to suspend the contract, along with a request to cancel the UOHS decision. On May 6, the Brno court issued an injunction to halt the final signing of the nuclear power plant construction contract between EDUII and KHNP, the preferred bidder for Dukovany Units 5 and 6. Until a final decision is made regarding EDF's lawsuit, the signing of the final contract for the Czech nuclear power plant is prohibited.

Regarding the reason for granting the injunction, the Brno court stated, "If the contract is signed, even if EDF receives a favorable ruling in court, it would lose the opportunity to win the public contract." The court also said, "We recognize the negative consequences that a contract delay may bring, namely the delay in the construction of the new Dukovany nuclear power plant. However, we believe that public interest in ensuring compliance with the law and effective judicial review takes precedence." The court made it clear that "granting the injunction does not mean that the plaintiff, EDF, will prevail in the subsequent lawsuit."

KHNP expressed its displeasure at EDF's legal action. KHNP stated, "Despite the first-instance (October 31, 2024) and final dismissal (April 24, 2025) decisions by UOHS, we deeply regret the continued attempts by a competitor to undermine the bidding results." The company added, "KHNP plans to actively cooperate with the Czech side to protect its qualifications and interests related to the signing of the final contract."

Minister Ahn expressed concerns that a delay in the signing of the final contract for the Dukovany Units 5 and 6 project may be inevitable, but he also predicted that there would not be excessive delays. He said, "It is impossible to predict whether it will take days or months for a conclusion to be reached regarding the EDF lawsuit." He added, "However, the Czech government also hopes that there will be no delays due to the enormous opportunity costs, and I believe the Czech courts, when considering all these circumstances, will conduct the necessary legal review but will not delay unnecessarily."

When asked whether the final contract was pushed too quickly while EDF's administrative lawsuit was still ongoing, Minister Ahn explained, "Before this ruling, UOHS had already dismissed EDF's objections twice, so the Czech government probably thought that this injunction would not be granted." He continued, "The Czech government did not see it as a major issue and set the schedule for the final contract, but their judgment did not align with the court's decision."

In response to criticism that the Korean delegation's visit to the Czech Republic was in vain due to the failure to sign the final contract, Minister Ahn said, "Except for the final contract, many prepared memorandums of understanding (MOUs) will proceed without any setbacks." He added, "Korean lawmakers visiting the Czech Republic will still have a luncheon with the President of the Senate, and the meeting between the Korean delegation and the Czech Prime Minister will also proceed as scheduled."

On the 6th (local time), an overview of Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the Czech Republic was captured. Units 5 and 6 are planned to be constructed near the existing nuclear power plant site. (Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy joint press corps)

The Czech government also maintains that "there are no issues with the Dukovany nuclear power plant bidding process." Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized via social media, "The bidding evaluation process was conducted properly in accordance with the relevant laws," and "Korea's bid was superior; the bidding was transparent and fair."

The Czech side is expected to take legal action against EDF. Hwang Jooho, CEO of KHNP, said, "CEZ is conducting a detailed legal review and is expected to appeal." He added, "After the court ruling, I spoke with CEZ, and on the morning of the 7th (local time), CEZ will explain the legal and procedural issues, as well as future response plans, to both domestic and international media."