Industry Minister Kim Tells Czech Counterpart, "Nuclear Project Will Stay on Track"... Regular Consultations to Begin

Korean and Czech Industry Ministers Hold Video Meeting... Discuss Keeping Dukovany Nuclear Project on Track
"Construction Permit Application in 2027, Construction to Begin in 2029... Key Milestones to Be Met"

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan is holding a video meeting with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek at the Korea Technology Center in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, on the 13th. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan outlined to the Czech government a plan to keep the Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project on track following the breakdown of negotiations on the construction contract, and reaffirmed his commitment to meeting the scheduled milestones without delays. The two sides agreed to move quickly and transparently to select a new construction contractor and to launch regular consultations between the two ministers to directly review issues related to the project.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on November 14 that Minister Kim held a video meeting on November 13 with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek to discuss ways to cooperate in keeping the Dukovany nuclear power plant project on track.

The meeting came amid concerns about the project schedule after construction contract negotiations between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the consortium of Daewoo E&C and Doosan Enerbility concluded. The government is operating an emergency management system led by ministers and vice ministers to minimize disruption to the project resulting from the replacement of the construction contractor.

Minister Kim said that the government was monitoring the project's progress by holding weekly alternating meetings: a "Team Korea Dukovany Nuclear Power Project Progress Review Meeting," chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and a "KHNP Implementation Plan Review Meeting," chaired by a vice minister. He emphasized that the government was closely evaluating Team Korea's implementation plans and preparations to ensure that key milestones, including the construction permit application in April 2027 and the start of construction in November 2029, are met as scheduled.

Regarding the selection of a new construction contractor, Minister Kim said the government would ensure the process was swift, fair and transparent. He explained that, based on discussions at the Team Korea review meeting held on November 12, a plan had been drawn up to ensure continuity of work following the conclusion of the previous construction contract negotiations, and that the selection process for a new contractor would also proceed without disruption.

Minister Havlicek said the Czech side was also making thorough preparations for each stage of the project and expressed his hope that the two countries would maintain ongoing communication and work together efficiently to advance it.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen government consultation channels. Following their decision to hold weekly meetings between director-general-level officials from the two countries' industry ministries starting November 5, the two ministers also plan to meet once a month to discuss the project's progress and ways to cooperate.

In addition, the two sides agreed to hold the fourth ministerial-level Dukovany implementation review consultation meeting by the end of 2026 to discuss project issues in depth and further strengthen nuclear industry cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Kim emphasized, "Our top priority is to honor our commitments to the Czech Republic. The government will directly address issues requiring consultation with the Czech side through various channels, including ministerial-level consultations. We will take responsibility for completing the Czech nuclear power project, judging our success by its outcome, not by the process."

Minister Havlicek responded, "Let us also hold monthly meetings between the ministers and actively discuss ways to cooperate."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.