Strengthening Korea-Vietnam Nuclear Power Cooperation
KEPCO and PVN Sign "Nuclear Power Workforce Training MOU"
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade Sign Renewable Energy Cooperation MOU
South Korea and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen the foundation for cooperation in nuclear power plant construction, including the training of nuclear power professionals.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 11th that, following the Korea-Vietnam summit held during the state visit of To Lam, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on promoting cooperation in renewable energy in the presence of both leaders. In addition, an MOU was signed between companies from both countries in the field of nuclear power workforce training, laying the groundwork for concrete Korea-Vietnam economic cooperation and the strengthening of a future-oriented partnership.
On the 11th, at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, during the visit of Vietnam Communist Party Secretary General To Lam to Korea, Kim Jungkwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (right), and Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, held a meeting and took a commemorative photo. (Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
First, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam signed a “Renewable Energy Cooperation MOU” as part of their collaboration for a sustainable energy transition. Through this, the two countries plan to actively identify public-private partnership projects in promising renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, and energy storage systems (ESS), and support Korean investment companies in overcoming business challenges.
On the same day, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and the Vietnam Energy Industry Corporation (PVN) signed a “Nuclear Power Workforce Training Cooperation MOU” in the presence of both leaders. The Ministry expects that this will foster professionals in the field of Korean-style nuclear power plants and enhance understanding of Korean nuclear power technology, thereby further strengthening the foundation for cooperation between the two countries in nuclear power plant construction.
Vietnam is pursuing the introduction of new nuclear power plants and the expansion of renewable energy through the revised 8th Power Development Plan (April 2025). The country aims to have four nuclear power units in operation by 2035 and to increase the share of renewable energy capacity from 55% in 2023 to 62% by 2030.
In addition, at the Korea-Vietnam Industry Ministers’ Meeting held prior to the summit, the ministers exchanged a “Record of Discussions on the Establishment of a Core Mineral Supply Chain Technology Cooperation Center” signed between the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology and the Vietnam Institute of Mining-Metallurgy Science and Technology. Based on this, starting in the second half of this year and continuing for five years (2025?2029) with a budget of 16.6 billion KRW, the two countries plan to launch the “Vietnam Core Mineral Supply Chain Technology Cooperation Center Establishment Project (ODA)” to introduce equipment, provide technical guidance, and train personnel for the beneficiation and refining of key minerals such as rare earths, bauxite, and tungsten in Vietnam.
An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, “The government will actively support corporate activities so that concrete business projects can be realized through this MOU, alongside public-private cooperation.”
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