Kim Jeong-kwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, expressed concerns to the Czech Republic regarding the European Union's (EU) Industrial Acceleration Bill. The EU's tightening regulations favoring regional production could restrict Korean companies' participation in the European nuclear power market.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Minister Kim held a virtual meeting on October 20 with Karel Havlíček, the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, for the third session of the Dukovany Implementation Monitoring Committee. This committee includes representatives from the Korean and Czech governments, the Czech contracting authority Dukovany II (EDU II), and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, aimed at facilitating the smooth progress of the Czech Republic's new nuclear power project. The committee was established in February and held its first meeting, followed by a second meeting in June.
During this meeting, both countries confirmed that the Dukovany new nuclear power project is progressing according to the planned schedule. They also reviewed plans to ensure timely execution of key project timelines, including local permitting applications in the Czech Republic.
The Dukovany nuclear project entered the construction preparation phase last June when Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with the Czech contracting authority. The project involves the construction of two large nuclear reactors in Dukovany, with a contract value of approximately 407 billion koruna.
In the second monitoring committee meeting held in June, both countries reviewed the preparation of permitting documents, securing specialized personnel, and transportation plans for large equipment. The focus of this third meeting was to ensure the smooth execution of critical timelines, including local permitting applications in the Czech Republic.
Notably, the EU Industrial Acceleration Bill emerged as a new point of concern during this meeting. Minister Kim conveyed to the Czech side that "the Industrial Acceleration Bill announced by the EU Commission in March is being discussed in a way that excessively restricts the participation of non-EU countries in the European nuclear market."
The EU Industrial Acceleration Bill aims to enhance the competitiveness of regional manufacturing and strengthen supply chains in strategic industries by expanding the use of European products in public procurement and public support projects. However, the bill is still undergoing legislative procedures, and the actual application targets and detailed criteria have not yet been finalized.
The government's decision to raise the response to the Industrial Acceleration Bill as a separate agenda item during the Dukovany project monitoring process is seen as a proactive move to address potential regulatory uncertainties that may arise in the future entry into the European nuclear market.
Minister Kim stated, "In a situation where the nuclear supply chain within the EU is weakened, cooperation with countries like Korea, which have excellent supply chains, is essential to ensure the smooth advancement of nuclear construction plans in member states like the Czech Republic." He urged the Czech government to continue diplomatic efforts within the EU to ensure that the Industrial Acceleration Bill does not hinder economic cooperation between the two countries.
Both countries also discussed ways to expand cooperation in the global nuclear market beyond the Dukovany project. Minister Kim expressed hope for continued collaboration between Korea and the Czech Republic in future nuclear projects, mentioning the Temelin Units 3 and 4, which the Czech government is considering for construction.
The two nations agreed to hold the fourth Dukovany Implementation Monitoring Committee meeting in Korea later this year. Additionally, they plan to organize corporate events to strengthen cooperation between the nuclear industries of both countries and achieve concrete outcomes.
Minister Kim emphasized, "To support the development of advanced industries in the Czech Republic, large nuclear power plants are necessary. Therefore, I hope that the Korea-Czech nuclear partnership continues not only in Dukovany but also in Temelin Units 3 and 4. Through the ongoing meetings of the Dukovany Implementation Monitoring Committee, we will transparently share information and seek ways to facilitate and advance nuclear cooperation between our two countries."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.