President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit the Czech Republic next week to strengthen bilateral economic ties and solidify South Korea’s bid for a major nuclear energy project in the European nation, his office said Thursday.

Yoon plans to make an official visit from Sept. 19-22 for talks with Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala to discuss ways to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, trade, investment, technology and other areas, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said in a briefing.

In July, a consortium led by Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) was selected as a preferred bidder to build two nuclear power units at the Dukovany site.

“As South Korea’s top salesperson, President Yoon will actively pursue sales diplomacy to ensure our companies secure the nuclear power project contract,” Kim said.

“The official visit is expected to lead to the establishment of a nuclear alliance between South Korea and the Czech Republic,” he said.

The nuclear project, estimated at a
round 24 trillion won (US$17.3 billion), is expected to be finalized by the first quarter of next year. It will mark South Korea’s second nuclear power plant export, following its 2009 project in the United Arab Emirates.

The trip comes at a time when the project faces a legal challenge as U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric filed an appeal with Czech authorities last month, arguing that KHNP’s reactor designs are based on its technology.

In the Czech Republic, Yoon plans to tour a nuclear energy company and attend signing ceremonies for memorandums of understanding on bilateral economic cooperation across various sectors, including nuclear energy, trade, investment, technology, and supply chain management, Kim said.

Yoon will be accompanied by an economic delegation that includes leaders from major conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group, according to a senior presidential official.

Source: Yonhap News Agency