South Korea and the UK have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the nuclear energy sector by signing nine Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on Nov. 22nd, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). The agreement, signed by ROK industry minister Bang Moon-kyu and UK energy security secretary Claire Coutinho, encompasses collaboration in the entire lifecycle of nuclear power plants. They focus on new nuclear power plant construction, marking a critical area of cooperation between the Korea Electric Power Corporation and the UK Nuclear Authority.

In addition to the nuclear sector, the two nations have established a Clean Energy Partnership to expand carbon-neutral energy collaboration. The partnership is a commitment to developing clean energy resources and includes an annual high-level dialogue to enhance cooperation. This initiative aligns with the UK’s goal to increase its nuclear energy contribution to 25% by 2050, up from 15% in 2020, and to expand its offshore wind power capacity, where the UK currently holds the world’s second-largest installed capacity.

Why It Matters

The agreement between South Korea and the UK to strengthen nuclear energy cooperation signals South Korea’s growing influence in nuclear technology and its commitment to expanding its nuclear footprint globally. This agreement comes in the wake of the District Court of Columbia’s rejection in September of Westinghouse Electric’s complaint against Korea Hydro Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Westinghouse had sought to halt the export of nuclear plants by these two Korean state-run companies, alleging licensing infringements.

Westinghouse stated it would appeal the U.S. court’s dismissal of its lawsuit against KHNP and KEPCO, highlighting tensions in the nuclear energy market. Although the court’s ruling in favor of the South Korean firms reinforces their standing in the international nuclear sector, the partnership between the ROK and the UK could face headwinds depending on Westinghouse’s appeal.