South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is officially visiting the Czech Republic, temporarily setting aside pressing domestic issues.
Yoon departs from South Korea on Thursday morning for a four-day visit to the Czech Republic. During this trip, he plans to focus on follow-up actions after Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was chosen as the preferred negotiator for constructing a new nuclear power plant in Dukovany last July.
Yoon intends to engage in proactive diplomatic efforts to secure the nuclear power contract through discussions with the Czech President and Prime Minister.
He also aims to establish a Korea-Czech nuclear alliance and discuss ways to expand the strategic partnership beyond nuclear energy to include comprehensive cooperation in areas such as the economy, science and technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Should the Czech Republic proceed with constructing Temelín Units 3 and 4, Yoon is expected to advocate for Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to be selected as the preferred bidder. If these additional contracts are secured, the total value could exceed 40 trillion won (approximately $30 billion).
Accompanying Yoon during this visit will be notable members of the economic delegation, including Lee Jae Yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae Won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (and SK Group); Chung Eui Sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; and Koo Kwang Mo, Chairman of LG Group, suggesting promising outcomes in the economic sector as well.
On the first day of their visit, Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee will hold an official welcoming ceremony with President Petr Pavel and his wife. Following a private meeting, they will conduct a joint press conference and attend an official dinner.
Meanwhile, Han Dong Hoon, the representative of the People Power Party, will be present to see Yoon off on his trip. Although Yoon has attended some events with Han, this will be their first direct meeting since the dinner on July 24, marking a gap of 56 days.