News Mania Desk/ Piyal Chatterjee / 19th September 2024
Despite challenges against the transaction filed by EDF and Westinghouse, South Korea is certain it can get over any barriers to constructing a multibillion-dollar nuclear reactor in the Czech Republic, President Yoon Suk Yeol told Reuters.
Yoon stated that the project’s success was of “paramount importance” in a written response to inquiries made prior to his Sept. 19–22 journey to the Czech Republic. He also stated that part of the purpose of the trip was to make sure the final contract was completed without hiccups.In July, the Czech Republic announced its largest-ever energy investment plan, choosing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to construct two new nuclear power units, and maybe more.
However, a potential roadblock has developed in the form of an appeal by Westinghouse, arguing that KHNP does not have a license agreement to export reactors that are based on the technology of the U.S. business. EDF, the national energy company of France, lost the last tender round and has now also appealed the Czech ruling.Yoon said that in an effort to resolve any disagreements on intellectual property rights and speed up cooperation, Seoul and Washington were attempting to establish a “friendly atmosphere” among companies in the nuclear energy industry.Yoon is traveling at the same time that Seoul and Prague commemorate their 35 years of diplomatic ties. According to his office, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Czech President Petr Pavel in addition to seeing nuclear power plants in Plzen.
Yoon has worked to strengthen security connections with NATO and European nations since taking office in 2022, in part because of the growing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea.Seoul and Washington have charged Pyongyang with giving Moscow weapons, ammunition, and other armaments to employ in the conflict in Ukraine in exchange for financial and other military support. This has been refuted by Pyongyang and Moscow.
On Wednesday, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles, marking the second such launch in as many days. The test conducted last week on what the North claimed to be a brand-new 600 mm multiple launch rocket system may have been done with Russian exports in mind, according to the South Korean military.
Following the signing of a treaty on strategic partnership between North Korea and Russia this year, Yoon’s administration issued a warning, stating that if Moscow provided Pyongyang with cutting-edge weapons technology, it might think about arming Ukraine with lethal weapons instead of continuing with its current policy of providing only economic and humanitarian aid. Yoon stated that North Korea and Russia would suffer repercussions if they endangered South Korea’s security, but he did not elaborate on what his red line would be.
Source : Reuters
