{"id":2206984,"date":"2024-10-31T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T23:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206984"},"modified":"2024-10-30T23:09:10","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T14:09:10","slug":"czech-contract-delay-tests-south-koreas-nuclear-export-ambitions-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/10\/czech-contract-delay-tests-south-koreas-nuclear-export-ambitions-in-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Czech contract delay tests South Korea\u2019s nuclear export ambitions in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Czech anti-monopoly office (UOHS) has issued a provisional measure <\/span>temporarily halting<\/span><\/a> the contract with South Korea\u2019s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company (KHNP) following <\/span>legal complaints<\/span><\/a> from Westinghouse Electric (U.S.) and EDF (France). This procedural block could impact KHNP\u2019s timeline as the preferred supplier for the Central European country\u2019s Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. CEZ, the Czech majority state-owned utility, stated it aims to complete negotiations by March 2025 but must await UOHS\u2019s decision.<\/span><\/p>\n The Czech government <\/span>initially selected<\/span><\/a> KHNP as its preferred bidder in July, planning for KHNP to lead construction of two nuclear reactors, estimated at $17.4 billion. The project represents South Korea\u2019s largest-ever energy export to Europe, a move in line with President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s pro-nuclear agenda. Westinghouse, however, contends that KHNP cannot use its reactor technology without U.S. authorization.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n The temporary block poses logistical and strategic challenges for South Korea\u2019s nuclear industry. KHNP\u2019s European debut, if successful, would strengthen South Korea\u2019s position as a competitive nuclear exporter as the EU seeks to <\/span>diversify energy sources<\/span><\/a>. However, the legal dispute over intellectual property rights may hinder KHNP\u2019s momentum, and further delays could amplify the financial burden given Europe\u2019s stringent <\/span>labor standards<\/span><\/a> and environmental regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n The issue also highlights growing diplomatic challenges for Seoul. South Korea\u2019s nuclear export goals may require lengthy negotiations with the U.S. Westinghouse\u2019s complaint spotlights potential fractures in the U.S.-ROK alliance, particularly as Washington prioritizes <\/span>protecting American business interests<\/span><\/a>. South Korea has <\/span>reportedly engaged with the U.S.<\/span><\/a> to resolve the dispute, but it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached until after the next U.S. president has been sworn into office in Jan. 2025, as U.S. policy direction on trade and technology transfer could shift depending on the election outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n For the Yoon administration, which sees nuclear exports as key to South Korea\u2019s <\/span>long-term energy strategy<\/span><\/a>, the Czech project is a test case that could either bolster or hinder future bids in Europe, particularly as other EU countries, such as <\/span>Romania<\/span><\/a>, observe the outcome amid their own energy diversification needs. A successful contract would likely bolster Seoul\u2019s standing as the EU transitions away from Russian energy, while failure to finalize the deal could undermine South Korea\u2019s ambitions in Europe and cast doubt on its competitiveness in the global nuclear market.<\/span><\/p>\n