Discussion on 'Supply Chain Connectivity Measures' at the First Export Advisory Meeting After the 'Korea-US Nuclear Alliance'

President Moon Jae-in is conversing with U.S. President Joe Biden during a small-group meeting held at the White House Oval Office on the afternoon of the 21st (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] At the first "Nuclear Power Export Advisory Committee" meeting held since the establishment of the so-called "Nuclear Power Alliance" between South Korea and the United States for joint entry into the overseas nuclear power market, discussions were held on the joint formation of a nuclear power supply chain. The advisory committee is an advisory body composed of private experts in related fields such as nuclear power, international trade, diplomacy, and security.

On the 28th, an advisory committee official said, "The official topic of today's closed meeting is to review the progress of the Czech Republic and Poland orders set before the South Korea-US summit, but since the South Korea-US nuclear power alliance has been established, discussions on this will take place."

Another official said, "An encouraging situation has been created for nuclear power exports," adding, "According to the nuclear power alliance announced at the South Korea-US summit, related discussions will take place at this advisory meeting."

Earlier, President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Joe Biden announced in a joint statement on the 21st (local time) that "we have agreed to develop cooperation in the overseas nuclear power market, including joint participation in nuclear power projects." Regarding this, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated in a reference material, "If an optimal overseas nuclear power supply chain is established between U.S. companies, which are nuclear power powerhouses, with excellent equipment supply chains, and our companies that successfully commercialized the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, it will greatly contribute to enhancing order competitiveness and strengthening the nuclear power ecosystems of both countries."

An advisory committee official emphasized, "Since South Korea and the United States have agreed to jointly form a nuclear power supply chain, future focused discussions will be held on how to structure it and what investigations and discussions the advisory committee should conduct for this purpose," adding, "South Korea has strengths in nuclear power design, construction, and manufacturing, while the United States excels in maintenance and repair, so the key is to create a joint supply chain that reflects these strengths as much as possible."

At the meeting, the status of one unit of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant in the Czech Republic and six units in Poland, where Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is competing for orders, was also reviewed. The official said, "The orders for the Czech Republic and Poland have also become an opportunity for joint participation by South Korea and the United States through the South Korea-US nuclear power alliance," adding, "There is a high possibility that the two countries will cooperate in some form."

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