Minister of Industry, Czech Republic: "Completion of nuclear power plant project... will be responsible for the results."

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan held a video conference with Czech Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Karel Havlicek on the 13th and promised smooth implementation of the Dukovany nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Minister Kim told Minister Havlicek that 'Team Korea' has established and is implementing a plan to promote normal business in response to the end of construction contract negotiations between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the construction company.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the main contractor for the Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project, has been negotiating a construction contract with the Daewoo Engineering & Construction and Doosan Energy consortium, but announced the end of negotiations at the end of last month, saying the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

Minister Kim explained that he holds the 'Team Korea Czech Nuclear Power Plant Project Promotion Status Inspection Meeting', which he presides over, and the 'Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Promotion Plan Inspection Meeting', which is chaired by the Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, every other week to check the project progress status and evaluate whether Team Korea's activities are sufficient to achieve the main plans of the project.

The Dukovany nuclear power plant project aims to apply for a construction permit in April next year and begin construction in November 2029.

Minister Kim also established a plan to ensure continuity of related work even after the construction contract agreement expires, and emphasized that the plan to select a new construction company will be carried out quickly, fairly, and transparently.

The two ministers positively evaluated the decision to facilitate communication by holding weekly director-level meetings of the Korean and Czech trade ministries since the 5th, and decided to hold the 4th ministerial-level Dukovani implementation inspection consultative body within the year to discuss business issues in depth.

Minister Kim said, “Keeping our promise with the Czech Republic is our top priority, and the government will directly address pending issues that require consultation with the Czech side through various consultation channels, including at the ministerial level,” and added, “I will take responsibility for the completion of the Czech nuclear power plant project not through the process but through the results.”

Minister Havlicek responded, “Let’s hold a meeting between ministers once a month to actively discuss cooperation measures.”