South Korea is on track to finalize negotiations for a significant nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic, as announced by Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun on April 9, 2025. The anticipated agreement, which has faced delays, is expected to be concluded by late April or early May of this year. "We have completed documentation for the project, and local procedures, such as a legal review and board meetings, are currently under way," Ahn stated during a parliamentary committee meeting on industry and trade.
The South Korean consortium, led by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), was chosen as the preferred bidder in July 2024 to construct two reactors at the Dukovany power plant, located in the East European nation. If finalized, the deal, valued at approximately 24 trillion won (US$16.7 billion), would mark South Korea's first overseas nuclear power plant project since 2009, when KHNP secured the contract for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates.
Initially, the consortium aimed to finalize the deal by the end of March 2025; however, progress has been slower than expected. Ahn expressed hope that the final agreement would be reached soon, emphasizing the importance of this project for South Korea's international nuclear energy endeavors.
In addition to the Czech Republic project, Ahn addressed another pressing issue: South Korea's recent designation as a "sensitive" country by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This classification, which took effect on April 8, 2025, places South Korea in the lowest category of the DOE's "sensitive and other designated countries list," reportedly due to technical security concerns that may impede bilateral technology cooperation between Seoul and Washington.
During a recent meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Ahn and Wright acknowledged the necessity of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the nuclear power sector. The discussions included addressing the implications of South Korea's sensitive country listing and fostering greater collaboration in energy initiatives. Ahn's meeting with Wright in Washington last month underscored the urgency of resolving these issues to ensure continued progress in nuclear energy partnerships.
Meanwhile, KHNP is also making strides in international collaboration, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) of Jordan on April 8, 2025. This agreement aims to bolster cooperation between South Korea and Jordan in exploring and utilizing uranium resources. The joint investigation will focus on the concentration and distribution of radioactive nuclides, particularly uranium, in Jordan's seawater and groundwater.
Jordan is estimated to possess around 62 thousand tons of uranium deposits, presenting a significant opportunity for both nations to enhance their capabilities in extracting uranium from water resources. KHNP has already been pursuing overseas cooperation for the joint discovery of high-concentration uranium water resources, having previously agreed to collaborate with Kazakhstan, the world's largest uranium producer.
Shin Ho-chul, President of KHNP Central Research Institute, expressed optimism regarding the partnership with RSS, stating, "Based on this cooperation with RSS, we expect to expand into national-level technical cooperation and joint research with Jordan in the future." He highlighted the potential of Jordan's water resources for uranium resource utilization, emphasizing that this joint investigation could pave the way for securing high-concentration uranium water resources.
Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan, President of RSS, also underscored the significance of this collaboration. She remarked, "I am very pleased to collaborate with KHNP on the investigation of uranium in Jordan, and I look forward to further expanding the scope of technical cooperation in the future." Her involvement emphasizes the importance of this partnership on a national level and reflects Jordan's commitment to advancing scientific research and development through international collaborations.
As both countries embark on this collaborative journey, they must navigate environmental and safety considerations associated with managing radioactive materials and protecting water resources. Ensuring the quality of drinking water while exploring uranium resources remains a critical aspect of such projects, as both nations are keen on balancing resource extraction with environmental stewardship.
Overall, these developments illustrate South Korea's proactive approach to expanding its influence in the global nuclear energy market while fostering international partnerships. With the Czech Republic project poised for completion and the MOU with Jordan paving the way for uranium resource exploration, South Korea is positioning itself as a key player in the future of nuclear energy.
