There are concerns that this could hinder negotiations with the US company Westinghouse, which claims to own the nuclear plant, and have a negative impact. The South Korean government said it was "discussing this with the US government" and "notifying the US that the plant will be shipped to the Czech Republic."
On the 24th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that the export of South Korean-made nuclear power plants to the Czech Republic would be difficult due to a lawsuit against the US company Westinghouse.
"The Korean government is in discussions with the U.S. government through various channels to support the amicable resolution of the dispute between the nuclear power companies of the two countries," it said in a press release.
News from a high-ranking Korean government official that negotiations between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the US company Westinghouse, which claims intellectual property rights to Korean-made nuclear power plants, are hitting a deadlock has been reported in Korea.
This explanation was given after the announcement. In order for South Korea to export nuclear power plants, Westinghouse, which provided the basic technology in the early stages, must agree to the project and it must also be reported to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Korean team, including Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, is reportedly refusing to give their consent, as they are demanding the supply of equipment as a condition for the agreement.
As we have been selected as the preferred negotiating party for the construction project, we are currently in negotiations toward concluding the contract in March of next year. As we have been selected as the preferred negotiating party, we will conclude the contract unless there are any major changes in the situation.
However, proceeding with the project under the de facto opposition of the United States poses considerable risks for both Korea and the Czech Republic. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Inc. was involved in the West Coast Nuclear Power Plant project in the early stages of the development of Korean nuclear power plants.
It is true that the United States used technology from Finghouse, but it has since claimed to have developed its own technology. However, given the international status of the United States, it remains to be seen whether such a claim will be accepted in the international community.
The South Korean government believes that there is still time left until the contract is signed in March of next year, and that, taking into account the current state of US-South Korea relations, negotiations between the two companies will be smooth.
Ahn visited the United States on the 7th and 8th of this month (local time) and met with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to discuss strengthening energy cooperation between the two countries.
On that day, I conveyed to Secretary Granholm that I hope the cooperation between the two countries will serve as a stepping stone for leading the global clean energy market.
A South Korean government official said, "The US and South Korean governments are working to develop a comprehensive energy system that will include renewable energy, including nuclear power, and hydrogen.
"We share the view that there is a great need for cooperation in all areas," he said, adding, "Under the strong U.S.-ROK alliance, we will hold discussions to ensure that nuclear power exports to the Czech Republic are not hindered."
2024/08/25 07:02 KST
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