Korea launches nuclear export forum as US framework talks advance

The industry ministry said Wednesday it helped launch a nuclear export forum with about 100 participants from industry, academia, research institutes and government, creating a standing channel to coordinate South Korea's push into overseas nuclear markets.

The Korea Nuclear Export Industry Association formed the Nuclear Export Leaders Forum at the request of the nuclear sector, which had asked for a venue to exchange information and discuss pending issues. The first meeting, held Wednesday morning at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, was supported by the ministry and the association, which will now run the forum and convene it regularly.

Kang Gam-chan, a trade and investment director at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy who oversaw working-level negotiations on the US nuclear framework, and Lee Sang-eun, head of the ministry's nuclear export promotion division, attended to explain the framework. Small and mid-sized nuclear suppliers pressed them on the possibility of joining US project supply chains and on the conditions they would have to meet.

"The recent US agreement was possible thanks to the nuclear sector's efforts in building a solid ecosystem and completing projects even under difficult conditions," Kang said. "With global nuclear demand expanding, I ask the sector to pool its capabilities for K-nuclear's global advance. The government will spare no support in creating an era of nuclear exports."

The government plans to help Korean companies enter overseas nuclear supply chains by supporting the design and manufacturing technology and qualifications they need, upgrading about 30 existing programs covering export guidance, certification, supplier registration and export insurance. New measures tailored to global markets including the United States will follow, with full-scale support to begin next year.

From Oct. 27 to 29, the ministry will invite global nuclear companies to NES 2026, an international nuclear export and safety conference in Gyeongju, for supplier briefings and business-to-business meetings.