South Korea’s Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun (R) and the Czech Republic’s Minister for Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek pose for a photo ahead of the second round of the Korea-Czech ministerial supply chain and energy dialogue in Seoul on Feb. 17, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEJONG, Feb. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea and the Czech Republic held a high-level bilateral supply chain and energy dialogue (SCED) Monday, as the two sides seek to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including trade, eco-friendly energy and nuclear power plants, Seoul’s industry ministry said.
Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and his Czech counterpart, Lukas Vlcek, met in Seoul for the second bilateral SCED and discussed measures to expand cooperation in trade, supply chain, advanced industries, carbon-free energy and nuclear power plants, according to the ministry.
In the meeting, the two sides assessed their negotiations for a South Korean consortium building two nuclear plants in Czech’s southern region of Dukovany were proceeding smoothly.
Czech has been negotiating contract terms with the consortium, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, to finalize the agreement for the estimated 24 trillion-won (US$16.6 billion) project by March.
In Monday’s meeting, Vlcek said he anticipates the two sides will reach a final agreement soon, while noting the need to fulfill each side’s high expectations on the project.
The Dukovany nuclear power plant project, if realized, will mark the single-largest investment in the Czech Republic in the country’s history, the minister said.
To further bolster cooperation in the field, Ahn and Vlcek discussed joining hands for research and development (R&D) projects and fostering talent for the nuclear energy sector.
The ministers also exchanged opinions on establishing cooperation centers for collaboration in the fields of battery, future mobility and robotics, according to Ahn’s office.
Additionally, they signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the semiconductor industry and agreed to work together to develop clean hydrogen energy technologies.
On the sidelines of Monday’s meeting, South Korea and the Czech Republic jointly hosted a business conference to promote bilateral investment.
“This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of striking a strategic partnership,” Ahn noted.
The minister further expressed hopes for the two sides to “successfully strike a final deal for the nuclear power plant project in Dukovany to advance the bilateral ties closer to another level,” he added.
(Yonhap)
