SEOUL, South Korea (AP) In a recent development, South Korean officials have downplayed a Czech court's decision to temporarily halt an $18 billion project for South Korea to construct two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic. The government expressed optimism that the deal, involving the state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), will ultimately be finalized.
The contract was expected to be finalized this week with CEZ, the Czech Republic's largest electricity supplier. However, the court's ruling prevented CEZ from signing the contract pending a review of a complaint filed by the French company EDF, which had lost the bidding process to the South Koreans. The Czech court's decision is seen as a temporary setback by South Korean officials, who maintain that all other aspects of the project will continue as planned.
South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Dukgeun, addressing reporters in Prague, asserted that the court's decision would merely delay the official signing of the contract. He noted that the Czech government did not foresee this ruling as a significant obstacle and stated that CEZ intends to appeal the decision. Ahn emphasized that the Czech government's expectations regarding the proceedings did not align with the court's ruling.
In light of the developments, Lee Ju-Ho, the acting president of South Korea, pledged to maintain close communication with the Czech government to expedite the realization of the deal. The collaboration aims to ensure that the project progresses without undue delays despite the current legal challenges.
In July, CEZ had named KHNP as the preferred bidder to construct two 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactors at the Dukovany plant, surpassing EDF in the selection process. The French company’s legal action emerged after the Czech Republic’s competition regulator rejected its appeal regarding the bidding procedures, culminating in the recent court complaint.
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration, which had made significant commitments to elevate the country's nuclear power exports. Yoon's government aimed to reverse the trend of reduced domestic reliance on nuclear energy that mark the prior liberal administration's policies. The target was set for exporting ten nuclear reactors by 2030, showcasing the South Korean government's ambition in the global nuclear energy market.
The current atmosphere between South Korea and the Czech Republic signifies a strategic partnership in nuclear energy development, though legal hurdles remain. The South Korean government’s proactive stance and its remediation plans are indicative of its strong investment in reinforcing international relations through nuclear cooperation, despite the challenges presented by the Czech court's recent ruling.
