The U.S. and South Korea signed a provisional memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Nov. 1 to advance cooperation in civil nuclear energy. This MOU reinforces both nations’ commitments to nonproliferation, safety and security standards in nuclear technology exports, with strengthened administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology. However, the agreement is provisional, pending final review in both countries.

This announcement follows the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition’s (UOHS) decision on Oct. 31 to provisionally halt Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power’s (KHNP) contract for the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, pending legal complaints by Westinghouse Electric (U.S.) and Electricite de France (EDF). The Czech government had initially selected KHNP as the preferred bidder in July. However, Westinghouse raised objections, contending that KHNP cannot utilize U.S.-derived nuclear technology without authorization.