Seoul: South Korea's industry ministry held a forum on Monday, bringing together experts and business officials to deliberate on the nation's strategy to expand its role in the global nuclear decommissioning industry.According to Yonhap News Agency, the forum comes in the wake of the government's announcement to nurture 2,500 specialists and 100 businesses, aiming to secure $100 million in overseas nuclear decommissioning projects by 2030, as stated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Deputy Minister for Energy Policy Lee Ho-hyeon highlighted the potential of the nuclear decommissioning market, valued at up to 492 trillion won ($350 billion), describing it as a sector with substantial growth prospects, integrating robotics, digital twins, and new material technologies.The forum featured a virtual presentation from a Westinghouse official, who shared insights from the company's involvement in nuclear decommissioning projects. Westinghouse has been in a dispute with South Korea's Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) regarding a large-scale project to construct two nuclear plants in the Czech Republic, asserting that KHNP's reactors utilize its technology. Nonetheless, Westinghouse recently achieved a nuclear plant design contract in Bulgaria, collaborating with South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co.
- October 12, 2026
