Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said he welcomed the European Union's closure of its Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) probe into the Czech Dukovany nuclear power project.
In a Facebook post Friday, Kim, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, announced that "the European Commission (EC) has completed its preliminary review of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation concerning Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) in relation to the Czech Dukovany nuclear project and decided not to proceed with a further in-depth investigation." He wrote, "I sincerely welcome this decision."
Earlier, Électricité de France (EDF), which lost the competition to KHNP, had raised objections, claiming that the Dukovany project violated the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation. In response, the EC had been conducting an ex officio preliminary review since February last year to determine whether to open formal investigation proceedings, accepting EDF's argument.
The Foreign Subsidies Regulation is a system that examines whether support from foreign governments distorts fair competition in the European market. After about one year and four months of review, the EC concluded there were no problems with KHNP's contract and decided not to proceed with additional procedures. Kim stressed, "This decision carries great significance in that it is an official judgment made by the EU after directly reviewing the relevant matters." He added, "This is a result confirming that KHNP and Team Korea have pursued the project while faithfully complying with international norms and EU legal systems."
Kim said he would do his utmost to ensure the Czech Dukovany nuclear plant construction project proceeds without a hitch. "The Dukovany nuclear project is proceeding without disruption according to the currently planned schedule," Kim said. "We will work closely with the Czech Republic and provide firm support to the end so that the Dukovany nuclear project can be successfully completed."
Kim also called for support for the nuclear power industry. "Criticism and verification are necessary, but groundless accusations and exhausting disputes only weaken our own competitiveness," Kim said. "Please gather your encouragement and wisdom so that Korean companies can compete with confidence in the global market and produce results."
Kim went on to stress, "The Dukovany nuclear project is not simply a nuclear plant construction project," adding, "It is a strategic cooperation project in which Korea and the Czech Republic will jointly nurture technology, industry, and talent over the coming decades." He urged, "There is still a road ahead. Now is the time to join forces to enhance the chances of success and maximize national interests."
