Acting President Choi Sang Mok (left), who also serves as deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, on Jan. 8 holds a phone conversation with Czech Prime Minister Petr Filala at Government Complex-Seoul. (Ministry of Economy and Finance)
By Margareth Theresia
The Czech Republic has reaffirmed its joint projects with Korea such as construction of a nuclear power plant in Dukovany to mark the 35th anniversary of bilateral ties and the 10th of their strategic partnership.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance in Seoul on Jan. 8 said Acting President Choi Sang Mok, who also serves as deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, that day agreed on this in a phone conversation with Czech Prime Minister Petr Filala. Both leaders also pledged specific measures to expand cooperation beyond nuclear power to other sectors like cutting-edge industries, science and technology, economy and finance.
The acting president said, “Despite its difficult situation, our government will unwaveringly do its duty in each sector including the economy and security and stably manage external relations.”
“We will also smoothly proceed with major cooperation projects between our two sides like the construction of a nuclear power plant in Dukovany and diplomatic affairs like high-level exchanges.”
The Czech leader said, “We trust the resilience of Korean democracy and hope to keep bolstering our friendly cooperative ties this year.”
In addition, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Jan. 9 said they signed the previous day an inter-ministry memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the principles of nuclear power exports and related cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of State.
The agreement’s main goal is to reaffirm the principles of bilateral cooperation in the sector and boost collaboration in export control.
The two ministries said this “global comprehensive strategic alliance” is expected to raise mutually beneficial cooperation between both sides on the global market for nuclear power.
margareth@korea.kr
