Yoon to expand nuclear power development and cooperation

The president’s comments in Davos at the World Economic Forum about nuclear energy are seen as being a sales move for Korean nuclear power plants. [Photo by Yonhap]

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said he plans to further develop the nuclear energy industry as countries are targeting to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Yoon said Korea would share its nuclear power plant technologies with countries around the world that want to go carbon neutral, highlighting the point that the energy source is clean and that his administration will find various channels for global cooperation on nuclear energy.

During his speech, Yoon stressed that nuclear power and hydrogen were “key means to bolster our energy security,” outlining the government’s plan to “systemically pursue the carbon neutrality target by expanding the share of nuclear power.”

While boasting about the nation’s “world-class technological prowess in nuclear power generation, as well as outstanding nuclear power plant construction and operation capabilities,” Yoon said that Korea is “willing to work with nations that need to tap into nuclear power technology to achieve their carbon neutrality goals.”

The president’s comments in Davos at the World Economic Forum about nuclear energy are seen as being a sales move for Korean nuclear power plants, following his visit to the United Arab Emirates from Jan. 14 to 17.

Yoon attended the “Korea Night” event that was held on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday. [Photo by Lee Seung-hwan]

While in Davos, Yoon attended the “Korea Night” event that was held on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday. During the event, the president announced his “Busan Initiative” to promote Busan as the best candidate to host the upcoming 2030 World Expo, highlighting the country’s transition from one of the poorest countries to one with a strong economic and cultural foothold in the modern day.

“We want the 2030 World Expo in Busan to be an opportunity to share Korea’s experience with the world and to move forward together,” Yoon said.