Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea-Czech Industry and Energy Technology Cooperation Forum

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn and Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela attended the Korea-Czech Industry and Energy Technology Cooperation Forum on September 20 in Prague with the participation of both countries’ academia, industry, and research experts in R&D. date2024-09-23

Korea and Czech Republic hold Industry & Energy Technology Cooperation Forum to step up high-tech collaboration

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea held the Korea-Czech Industry and Energy Technology Cooperation Forum (“Forum”) on September 20 in Prague to bolster cooperation with the Czech Republic, which holds world-leading technology in advanced manufacturing industries like high precision engineering, optics, and nanomaterials. Participating in the Forum were 40 top R&D institutions from the Czech Republic including Czech Technical University and the Czech Academy of Sciences as well as a number of academic, industrial, and research institutions from Korea such as Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI), Hyundai Motor, and Sungkyunkwan University.  Twelve memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between the two countries to identify projects for joint technology cooperation in various areas like robot, laser source, and hydrogen, increasing anticipation for substantial technology exchanges and collaboration ensuing the Forum. In areas where bilateral cooperation is currently ongoing such as high precision engineering and optics, the two sides aim to uncover mid-to-large sized R&D projects to achieve impactful outcomes. Moreover, Korea’s master’s and doctoral researchers will be sent to study at prestigious Czech universities to promote active technology exchanges and joint research between the two countries’ innovative talents. For this aim, MOTIE will be providing KRW 70 billion for joint Korea-Czech R&D. The ministry plans to discuss the prospects of establishing a Korea-Czech industrial cooperation foundation for paving the way to stable bilateral technology collaboration between the two countries’ academia, industries, and research institutions. MOTIE Minister Dukgeun Ahn assessed that Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit has created the opportunity for both countries to step up cooperation in cutting-edge technology, vowing continued effort to uncover impactful joint projects on the occasion of this Forum to assist Korean firms’ open innovation.   date2024-09-23

Korea and Czech Republic to establish cooperative system over entire nuclear energy cycle

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea announced that Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala attended the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signing ceremony on September 20 at Doosan Škoda Power in Pilsen, Czech Republic, for the two countries’ bilateral cooperation across the entire nuclear energy cycle. First, MOTIE Minister Dukgeun Ahn and the Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela signed an MOU for Korea-Czech nuclear cooperation, agreeing to collaborate not only on nuclear reactor construction but to push across-the-board cooperation including manpower training and technological development. To this end, the two countries will be launching a director general-level consultative channel to discuss detailed cooperation measures. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Doosan Enerbility, and Doosan Škoda Power sealed an agreement on the Czech new reactor project’s turbine supply, which Doosan Škoda Power will undertake upon KHNP’s inking of the final contract in March 2025. Doosan Škoda Power, acquired by Doosan Enerbility in 2009, owns foundational technology for steam turbine manufacturing and has supplied for the Dukovany (Units 1–4) and Temelin (Units 1 and 2) power plants. The Czech Republic’s Brno University of Technology (BUT) and Korea’s KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) also forged an MOU on training nuclear energy talent. They agreed to establish a nuclear cooperation center at BUT to nurture master’s and doctoral graduates, train incumbent workers, and launch joint research projects in an effort to raise professional manpower. The Korea Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF) and Czech Power Industry Alliance (CPIA) signed an MOU for localization cooperation, aiming to seek wide-ranging joint project opportunities for both countries’ businesses and provide support for the development of the materials and equipment supply chain. The Korean Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the University of West Bohemia entered into an MOU on technology cooperation for nuclear technology information exchange, joint research, talent exchange, and mid-to-long term research collaboration.  The two countries’ nuclear energy firms and related institutions sealed further MOUs for cooperation over a variety of areas such as materials and equipment, construction, design, trial operation, nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste management. Meanwhile, MOTIE plans to discuss with the Czech authorities the prompt launching of a director general-level consultative channel for a thorough implementation of follow-up measures.   date2024-09-23

Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024 Conference

Deputy Minister for Energy Policy Lee Ho-hyeon attended the Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024 conference on September 19 at the OECD Conference Center in Paris, France, where he introduced Korea’s nuclear energy policies.   The conference was attended by high-level government officials of 20 countries, CEOs of 40 nuclear energy companies, as well as relevant experts for discussions on measures to expand nuclear new build projects worldwide and accelerate the distribution of small modular reactors (SMRs). date2024-09-23

Korea and Czech Republic seek wider cooperation via joint Business Forum

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea announced today that a large-scale Korea-Czech Republic Business Forum (“Forum”) was co-hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Czech Chamber of Commerce, and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic today (local time) in Prague on the occasion of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the Czech Republic. The Forum was attended by roughly 470 persons, including Korea’s economic delegation comprising representatives of economic groups, large- and medium-sized companies, SMEs, public institutions, and relevant associations. Forum attendees took stock of the Korea-Czech collaboration in advanced industries and infrastructure, exchanging views on promising areas for future cooperation. Among advanced industries, the potential for bilateral cooperation is considered high in future mobility, battery, and robot. For infrastructure, strong synergy is anticipated in high speed rail and the Ukraine recovery and reconstruction project. Moreover, Korea entered into a total of 14 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Czech Republic to further expand its industrial cooperation base with the Central European manufacturing powerhouse across various areas like corporate support, advanced industries (battery, future mobility), energy (hydrogen), nuclear reactors, and infrastructure (high speed rail, Ukraine reconstruction project). On the margins of the state visit, 20 more MOUs are to be sealed through nuclear and advanced industry related events. Taking this Forum as an opportunity to look back on the bilateral cooperation outcomes spanning the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, Korean and Czech business leaders were able to build a shared understanding for comprehensive and across-the-board economic cooperation in not only nuclear energy but over diverse industrial sectors. The Korean government plans to continue consultations with the Czech authorities for wider bilateral cooperation, while also assisting corporate activities to ensure that the MOUs develop into tangible business projects. date2024-09-20

Korea shares nuclear policies at Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024

Deputy Minister for Energy Policy Lee Ho-hyeon attended the Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024 conference on September 19 at the OECD Conference Center in Paris, France, where he introduced Korea’s nuclear energy policies. The conference was attended by high-level government officials of 20 countries, CEOs of 40 nuclear energy companies, as well as relevant experts for discussions on measures to expand nuclear new build projects worldwide and accelerate the distribution of small modular reactors (SMRs). The second of its kind since launched last year, Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024 serves as a meaningful opportunity for Korea in sharing its robust nuclear industrial ecosystem and knowhow in construction and operation safety, particularly in view of recent outcomes such as the selection as preferred bidder for the new Czech nuclear reactor project.  In the first session, the Korean delegation was asked to present its nuclear policy progress and best practices in reactor construction and operation alongside the U.S., France, the UK, and other major nuclear operating countries, followed by a Q&A session. On the occasion of the conference, representatives of the 20 participating countries adopted a joint statement for implementing the global expansion of nuclear reactors. The joint statement reaffirms nuclear energy’s contribution to attaining carbon neutrality and economic stimulation, while also acting as an international pledge for cooperation across diverse areas, such as the development of SMRs and other next-generation technologies, expediting of licensing procedures, and the establishment of a stable supply chain. Lastly, the OECD NEA announced that Korea will be co-hosting Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2025 in September next year.   date2024-09-19

Minister Ahn attends Jangseong Coal Mine closure ceremony

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn attended the ceremony on September 6 marking the closure of the Jangseong Coal Mine in Taebaek City, Gangwon province with the participation of 2,000 persons, including lawmakers, Gangwon province governor, coal mine workers, and local residents.   Minister Ahn presented governmental commendations to five of the Jangseong Coal Mine workers and ensured that the Government will back the region’s efforts to play a major role going forward in the carbon-free energy era as well. date2024-09-09

Korea’s largest coal mine closes, opens doors to the next energy era

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn attended the ceremony on September 6 marking the closure of the Jangseong Coal Mine in Taebaek City, Gangwon province. He expressed appreciation to the coal mine workers and said that the ministry will seek measures to help identify alternative industries for the region in step with the transition to a carbon-free era. Korea’s largest coal mine to date, the Jangseong Coal Mine produced roughly 94 million metric tons of coal over the past 88 years, contributing to the stable supply of coal briquettes and the growth of the local economy. In recognition of the hard work and dedication, Minister Ahn presented governmental commendations to five of the Jangseong Coal Mine workers and shared the Government’s plan to increase the supply capacity of carbon-free energy sources, establish energy security, and create new energy industries. As an alternative to coal mining, Taebaek City is currently in the process of nurturing a cluster for future resources by 2029 across the Jangseong Coal Mine site, including clean methanol production facilities and a critical minerals industrial complex. The minister ensured that the Government will back the region’s efforts to uncover an alternative industry for vitalizing the local economy. date2024-09-06

Korean government sharpens EV battery safety and fire response management

The Korean government announced the electric vehicle (EV) fire safety management measures today at the Ministerial Meeting on Current State Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. As the Incheon apartment parking lot EV fire in August fueled nationwide concerns over EV charger safety, the Government has come up with measures to relieve public anxiety and promote EV safety. To this end, related ministries established detailed measures based on consultations with automobile industry insiders, National Assembly discussions, and a high-level meeting of government and ruling party officials (August 25). Through the established measures, the Government aims to strengthen the entire safety management process. First, the EV battery certification system previously scheduled to begin next February will move up to October this year in the form of a pilot project. The extent of information disclosure will include key information, such as the battery maker and manufacturing technology. The list of criteria for battery inspections is to sharply lengthen and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) will swiftly expand the battery testing infrastructure. The battery data tracing system is to launch as planned in February 2025. Beginning next year, automakers not insured against product liability losses will not be eligible for EV subsidies, and the Government is considering mandating companies to buy product liability insurance. As for charge point operators (CPOs), the proposed bill on CPOs’ no-fault insurance mandate is under review.  For battery safety, the Government will work on improving the EV battery management system (BMS) functions. Hyundai, Kia and other major automakers have plans to provide free-of-charge installation of BMS for older models lacking the system. For cars already equipped with the safety system, companies plan to offer free-of-charge performance upgrades. Moreover, the Government will establish BMS standards for battery danger levels by the end of the year. Starting in the first half of 2025, firefighting authorities will be alerted of battery danger warnings of cars whose owners have agreed to information provision. The Government also aims to enhance fire prevention with fail-safe smart EV chargers that enable operators to control charging sessions, proposing to increase their distribution from this year’s 20,000 to 71,000 units in 2025. Slow-speed battery chargers are to be replaced with smart chargers taking account their lifespan and nearby firefighting facility. Based on many experts’ opinion that prompt sprinkler activation is most effective in preventing the spread of fire, the Government plans to minimize areas vulnerable to safety management through improving and expanding the provision of related equipment. All new buildings’ underground parking lots will require the installation of a wet pipe sprinkler system for fire emergencies, but the installation of pre-action sprinklers will be allowed for buildings with high risk of freezing and bursting pipes. In addition, related authorities will strengthen punishment on unauthorized disabling of sprinklers and other firefighting equipment. In light of the public sentiment toward recent EV fire accidents, the mandatory installation of charging points (2 percent) scheduled for implementation beginning in January has been granted a one-year grace period with the cooperation of local government bodies. Laws will be amended by the first half of 2025 to require the use of fire-resistant materials in building the walls, ceilings, and columns of underground parking lots for better fire prevention. To enhance fire response capacity, all 240 fire stations in the country by next year will be supplied with an increased number of EV firefighting equipment. Through public-private collaboration, the Government plans to develop small-sized, unmanned firefighting vehicles for easier access into date2024-09-06

Korea and Czech Republic discuss ways to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in nuclear, trade, industry, and energy

Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn met Tomáš Pojar, the Czech National Security Adviser and special envoy of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, on September 5 in Seoul to express appreciation over the selection of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder for the new Czech reactor project and discuss measures for diversifying cooperation in not only nuclear power but also in trade, investment, industries, and energy. Addressing the two countries’ progress in consultations for establishing a cooperative system spanning all areas of nuclear energy including talent training and technology development, Minister Ahn conveyed anticipation towards creating a singular nuclear ecosystem together under the vision of Korea-Czech Republic joint project execution. During detailed discussions on economic cooperation in trade, investment, industries, and energy, he affirmed the importance of continuously enlarging their intergovernmental cooperation for establishing the base for all-out industrial cooperation. In this view, he stated that he looks forward to a stronger intergovernmental cooperation channel and concrete discussions between their private sectors to accelerate bilateral trade and investment as well as technology exchange. Lastly, Minister Ahn shared his expectations of seeing Korea and the Czech Republic build on the momentum spurred by this nuclear project for a wider scope of multi-level and multi-faceted cooperation in trade, investment, advanced industries, and energy. He highlighted the need for the two countries’ governments to take the initiative in laying down the institutional framework for expanding their comprehensive and forward-looking cooperation.   date2024-09-06