Acting President Lee Vows "Close Communication for Swift Resolution" After Sudden Halt in Czech Nuclear Power Plant Export

Economic Security Strategy Meeting
"Czech Government Maintains There Are No Issues"

Lee Juho, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Education, is speaking at the Economic Security Strategy meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee Juho, Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Education, stated on the 7th that, regarding the Czech court's acceptance of Electricite de France (EDF)'s injunction related to the Czech nuclear power plant export, which has put a sudden halt to the final contract signing between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the Czech Republic, "The government will maintain close communication with the Czech side to ensure that the final contract can be reached as soon as possible."

At the Economic Security Strategy meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, Lee said, "The Czech government maintains that the bidding evaluation process so far has been transparent and conducted according to the law, so there are no issues," and added, "Going forward, the government will make every effort to minimize public anxiety and damage to our industry caused by the fluid trade environment."

After receiving a report on the recent U.S. tariff measures at the meeting, Lee stated, "As tariff measures resulting from recent changes in U.S. trade policy are becoming full-fledged, a grave situation continues," and emphasized, "The government will proceed calmly with consultations with the United States through close cooperation among relevant ministries, under the responsibility of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, who oversees trade policy."

He went on to explain, "Through the '2+2 Trade Consultations' between Korea and the United States, the government has established a framework for discussions to prepare the so-called 'July Package'," and added, "At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting to be held in mid-May, a ministerial-level consultation between Korea and the United States on tariff measures is scheduled, and additional technical consultations will also take place."

Lee further stated, "We will focus on identifying the priorities of the United States and make thorough preparations so that the next administration can continue negotiations smoothly," and added, "Given that domestic and international uncertainties persist, causing significant public concern and damage, it is most important to prioritize the interests of our people and nation above all else during consultations with the United States."

Meanwhile, Jamison Greer, the United States Trade Representative, is scheduled to visit Korea next week to attend the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting. This is expected to lead to continued ministerial-level consultations between Korea and the United States.