Kim Dong-cheol (R), president of the Korea Electric Power Corp., and Le Manh Hung (L), president of Petrovietnam, pose for a photo after signing a memorandum of understanding for nuclear power cooperation at the presidential office in Seoul on Aug. 11, 2025. In the back row are South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) and Vietnam’s top leader To Lam. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), South Korea’s state-owned utility, said Wednesday it signed a preliminary agreement with Vietnamese energy company Petrovietnam (PVN) to help cultivate a skilled workforce for Vietnam’s emerging nuclear power sector, as the two countries seek to deepen industrial cooperation.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU), inked earlier this week, represents KEPCO’s effort to expand its presence in Vietnam, which aims to have four operational nuclear reactors by 2035, according to company officials.
KEPCO noted this marks PVN’s first collaboration with a foreign entity specifically focused on nuclear energy development. PVN operates Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant.
The deal followed a summit in Seoul between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Vietnam’s top official To Lam, during which both leaders pledged to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across trade, security, and technology. They also set a target to increase bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030.
“With its world-class nuclear power project capabilities, KEPCO is the ideal partner for Vietnam to swiftly advance its nuclear ambitions,” said KEPCO President Kim Dong-cheol, emphasizing the company’s commitment to prioritizing nuclear cooperation with Vietnam.
KEPCO also expressed plans to expand collaboration in renewable energy sectors with the Southeast Asian nation.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
