Yoon returns home from Czech trip focused on nuclear energy cooperation
President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and first lady Kim Keon Hee arrive at the Seoul Airport in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Sept. 22, returning from their trip to the Czech Republic. Yonhap
President Yoon Suk Yeol returned home Sunday from his trip to the Czech Republic that sought to boost Korea's bid to win a nuclear deal and economic ties with the European nation.
Yoon held summit talks with Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Thursday and Friday to make a sales pitch for Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to build two nuclear power plants in Dukovany after it was chosen as a preferred bidder in July.
His visit came at a time when the project faces a legal challenge as U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric filed an appeal with Czech authorities last month, claiming that KHNP's reactor designs are based on its technology.
Yoon assured Czech leaders that the legal issue will be resolved amicably through consultations between Seoul and Washington and pledged support for a mutually beneficial partnership in the nuclear energy project.
During his trip, the two countries signed several agreements covering the entire nuclear energy cycle, including construction, operation, maintenance, nuclear fuel management and waste disposal.
If finalized, the deal — estimated at around 24 trillion won ($17.3 billion) — will mark Korea's second nuclear power plant export, following a deal with the United Arab Emirates. (Yonhap)