Acting president says Korea to communicate closely with Czech Republic to finalize nuclear deal at early date
Acting President Lee Ju-ho speaks during an economic security strategy meeting at the Government Complex in Seoul, May 7. Yonhap
Acting President Lee Ju-ho said Wednesday the gov ernment will communicate closely with the Czech Republic to swiftly finalize a nuclear power plant deal temporarily scuttled by a court injunction this week.
Lee made the remark during an economic security strategy meeting, a day after a Czech court blocked the country's main electricity firm, CEZ, from signing the estimated 26 trillion-won ($18.6 billion) contract with a Korean consortium led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power until it reviews a legal complaint filed by France's EDF, a losing bidder in the tender.
"Our government will communicate closely with the Czech side to reach a final contract at an early date," he said during the meeting at the government complex in Seoul.
"The Czech government's position is that there are no problems as the evaluation process for the tender was conducted transparently and in accordance with the law," he added.
Industry Ministry Ahn Duk-geun is in Prague as the court decision came while he was en route to attend a signing ceremony for the deal. Lee spoke with the minister by phone early Wednesday morning.
The acting president also underscored the gravity of the trade environment in the wake of the United States' imposition of new tariffs on imported goods.
The two countries will continue tariff consultations when U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer makes his planned visit to Korea next week for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers' meeting, he said.