Complicated Progression
“The Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is mediating between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power [KHNP], the Korea Electric Power Corporation [KEPCO], and Westinghouse while responding to a legal dispute,” Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang said on May 9, referring to the ongoing legal battle between KHNP, KEPCO, and Westinghouse over the ownership of nuclear power plant technology.
“Nuclear power exports are said to be going smoothly, but there are also concerns such as the lawsuit between KHNP and Westinghouse,” Lee said in a press conference at the Government Sejong Office on the same day when asked if he thought it was possible for Korea to attain the goal of exporting 10 nuclear power plants within his term.
“The Team Korea, which consists of KHNP and KEPCO, is also negotiating to establish a strategic partnership with Westinghouse,” Lee said. “During my visit to the United States, I met with the U.S. Secretary of Energy. He and I discussed a need for both governments to create a favorable environment for private-sector cooperation between the Team Korea and Westinghouse. We will have to wait and see, but we’re hopeful that a partnership will be forged between the two sides.”
“In 2009, when we exported a nuclear power plant to Barakah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Westinghouse participated with a certain stake,” Lee said. “We will try to create a favorable environment rather than prolong the litigation because this legal dispute is not mutually beneficial to both sides.”
In response to some concerns that KHNP is competing with Westinghouse for orders in Poland and the Czech Republic, Lee said, “We have signed memorandums of understanding with the Polish and Czech governments and letters of intent with the private sector. The process is under way.”
“The Czech Republic has requested KHNP to take part in a tender for a nuclear power plant project and is exchanging opinions with KHNP on the tenders. We are currently exchanging questions and answers with our counterparts in the Czech Republic and going through a normal process,” Lee said. “Now I can’t tell you about specific details at this time but will talk about them when they become more visible.”