President Yoon Suk Yeol, on an official visit to the Czech Republic (Czechia), on Sept. 19 discussed in an exclusive summit with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague cooperation in a range of sectors including nuclear power plants.

In their ensuing extended talks, both leaders shared opinions on developing the bilateral strategic partnership.

At a news briefing in Seoul that day, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo quoted President Yoon as saying at the summit, ¡°Team Korea of the Republic of Korea will actively cooperate to ensure that the joint project to build a nuclear power plant in Dukovany contributes to the shared growth of both economies.¡±

The president asked for Czech interest and support to finalize a contract between the companies of both sides.

¡°Czechia also has high hopes for Korean participation in the nuclear power plant project in Dukovany,¡± Adviser Kim said. President Pavel said ¡°they will jointly strive to have this project serve as new momentum to advance bilateral relations.¡±

President Yoon said, ¡°We wish for comprehensive cooperation with Czechia in key strategic sectors beyond nuclear power such as cutting-edge industries, science and technology, clean energy, culture, education, and diplomacy and national security.¡±

President Pavel responded by saying his administration hopes to bolster cooperation with Korea in transportation infrastructure, aerospace and batteries.

¡°If the deal is concluded and plant construction begins, we will work with Czechia in all procedures for design and construction,¡± President Yoon told a joint news conference right after the summit. ¡°This will enable us to form a true nuclear alliance through cooperation not only in new technology development but also training nuclear plant personnel.¡±

The two leaders also discussed global political issues such as North Korea¡¯s nuclear program and military cooperation with Russia, support for Ukraine and the geopolitical situation in Northeast Asia.

After the two leaders¡¯ discussions, the industry ministries of both nations, which oversee nuclear power policy, signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in all sectors of the nuclear power ecosystem such as plant construction and development of technology and human resources. The two sides also agreed to support private cooperation.

A combined 13 MOUs were signed here, including those covering management of nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

Additionally, other bilateral MOUs signed during President Yoon¡¯s visit included two between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Czech Ministry of Transport―one on cooperation in high-speed rail and the other to help rebuild Ukraine. Another between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade covered collaboration in batteries.