Aerial view of Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic / Yonhap
Bolstered by one of the largest energy infrastructure initiatives in Central Europe, Korea and the Czech Republic moved this week to expand their partnership from nuclear engineering into the frontier sectors of robotics, electric vehicle batteries and future mobility.
The diplomatic push was cemented during a series of high-level bilateral meetings in Prague, where Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan met with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek Wednesday and Thursday. The sessions served to solidify both nations' commitments to the multibillion-dollar Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project.
During the second assembly of the Dukovany Steering Committee — a specialized regulatory body established in February — officials confirmed that Team Korea, the corporate consortium tapped for the project, remains on track. The ministers reviewed critical licensing and regulatory documents that were submitted, and proactively addressed systemic logistical challenges, including labor shortages and the transport of heavy cargo. To ensure local economic buy-in, the delegations also mapped out strategies to increase the participation of Czech subcontractors.
