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Czech envoy reaffirms Korea’s role in Dukovany nuclear reactors project despite legal challenge
Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jancarek delivers his opening remarks during the Czech-Korea Investment and Business Conference at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Feb. 17. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Ko Dong-hwan
Ambassador cites country's urgency regarding energy security
The Czech Republic's government remains committed to its agreement with a Korean state-run company to build new reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant, despite a recent lawsuit filed by a French company apparently seeking to get the deal canceled, according to its envoy.
Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jancarek said Wednesday that the deal is crucial for his country’s energy security and that the government cannot afford to delay the project by canceling the agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP).
Jancarek called the lawsuit filed by EDF last week in a Czech regional court a "bump on the road."
“It might have been expected, you know, this kind of bump,” the ambassador told The Korea Times at his office in Seoul. “But this is a deal we should proceed, and I’m sure it will proceed.”
The "bump" occurred on May 7, as a Korean delegation — including the ministers of energy and infrastructure, as well as lawmakers — was heading to Prague to sign the 26 trillion won ($18.6 billion) deal to build two reactors at the Dukovany power plant.
EDF asked the court to review whether the selection of KHNP as the preferred bidder by the Czech state-run energy company CEZ was transparent. After the court issued an injunction temporarily suspending the process, the delegation returned to Seoul empty-handed.
Jancarek said he does not know how long the court will take to issue its decision but expressed hope that the ruling would be favorable to the Czech government. Earlier last year, EDF and another bidder filed complaints with the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition for a similar reason, but the office rejected their appeals.
Cooling towers at the Dukovany nuclear power plant operated by CEZ in the Czech Republic, Monday (local time). EPA-Yonhap
“The tender was done according to the rules and in a transparent way,” the ambassador said. “We also have to respect the decision of the court. The court is independent, so you never know. It could take weeks, a month or more months. But I think they will decide soon because of the implications of the economic importance of the deal.”
Regarding European Commission Vice President Stephane Sejourne's letter to the Czech government earlier this month requesting a postponement of the deal with KHNP, Jancarek downplayed its significance.
“It was just a polite request, nothing about (demanding a) cancellation of the deal,” the ambassador said.
Jancarek said the deal is about more than just building new reactors. He explained that the governments of the Czech Republic and Korea are now strategic partners, with the Dukovany project being just one part of a larger bilateral partnership.
“The deal is part of our long-term strategy, not only concerning energy security but also developing the relations with Asia and the Korean industry. We now have flights connecting Prague and Seoul every day, reflecting that exchanges between the two countries have become stronger,” he said.
“There is now an agreement between the Czech company and the Korean company. The Czech government and the Office for the Protection of Competition in our country have approved the deal. It should give a green light for (the) signature. Everything is ready for signature.”