S. Korea and Türkiye sign nuclear cooperation MOU
Deal expected to boost Korea’s bid for Sinop nuclear power project; three MOUs signed during bilateral summit
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan oversaw the signing of three cooperation documents — including a major nuclear energy cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) — during their summit on November 24 (local time).
The nuclear cooperation MOU comes as Türkiye pursues the construction of a nuclear power plant in the Sinop region, with Korea mentioned as a potential negotiating partner. Observers say the agreement strengthens Korea’s position in the forthcoming competitive bidding process.
The MOU between Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and the Turkish Electricity Generation Corp. outlines wide-ranging cooperation in areas such as reactor technology, site evaluation, regulations and licensing, financing and business models, and project implementation. It also includes plans to establish a joint working group — a move seen as solidifying Korea’s foothold for participation from the earliest project stages.
“The agreement enables Korea to engage from the initial phases, including site assessments,” the presidential office said in a briefing. “It could significantly improve the likelihood of securing the main project contract.”
The two countries also signed an MOU on veterans affairs, aimed at enhancing recognition of Türkiye’s Korean War veterans, expanding exchanges among descendants, and strengthening regular cooperation between Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services.
Cooperation in infrastructure development was also reinforced. Korea Expressway Corp. and the Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corp. (KIND) signed a “Road Infrastructure Cooperation MOU” with Türkiye’s General Directorate of Highways, agreeing to jointly identify and pursue large-scale road construction projects.
“Participation by Korean companies in future highway development projects commissioned by the Turkish authorities is expected to increase,” the presidential office said.