S.Korea signs MOU on Philippine nuclear safety checks, eyes plant deals

MANILA – South Korea on Monday signed an initial agreement with the Philippines to conduct a safety check on a nuclear power plant before a restart — a move widely expected to enhance the chances for Seoul to participate in a series of nuclear power plant projects in the Southeast Asian country.

During Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the Philippines, the two countries also elevated bilateral relations to a "strategic partnership" to reinforce their cooperation in security, economy, energy and other areas, Seoul’s Presidential Office said.

Under the strengthened partnership, Korea has agreed to actively participate in the three-phase Philippine military modernization program, estimated to cost $35 billion over the next decade, creating an opportunity for Korea to export advanced weapons systems to the country.

Korea has already exported FA-50 light attack aircraft, warships and missiles to the Philippines.

"The establishment of the strategic partnership opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations," Yoon said at a joint press conference with his counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The two leaders also discussed expanding joint military training involving Korean forces in the Philippines.

The strategic partnership came after the two nations forged diplomatic relations in 1949. The Southeast Asian nation sent the first and largest contingent of 7,420 soldiers to South Korea when the Korean War broke out in 1950.

‘BEST NUCLEAR PLANT PARTNER’

At a press conference following their summit in Manila on Monday, President Yoon said: "Team Korea will become the best nuclear plant partner for the Philippines."

In response, President Marcos said: "We hope to actively cooperate with Korea on nuclear energy."

During the summit, held at Malacañang Palace, the leaders signed an MOU allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) to conduct a feasibility study on restarting the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

Construction of the power plant on the Bataan Peninsula, 100 km west of Manila, began in 1976 but work was halted just before completion in 1984 amid growing public opposition. In the wake of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the Bataan project was shelved.

A turning point came when President Marcos, who took office in 2022, pushed for the revival of nuclear power to address the nation's energy crisis, reigniting hopes for the Bataan project to restart.

The two leaders have discussed issues surrounding restarting the nuclear plant at previous summit meetings, which were followed by a series of working-level talks.

The Philippine government plans to decide whether to restart the Bataan plant based on a feasibility study, which is expected to take six months.

The Bataan plant is equipped with a light water reactor made by US energy firm Westinghouse Electric Corp. with a capacity of 621 megawatts — the same design as Korea's Kori-2 reactor.

"The Bataan plant has the same reactor as Korea's Kori-2. The KHNP has over 40 years of experience operating the Kori nuclear plant,” Park Chun-seop, Yoon’s senior presidential aide on economic affairs, told reporters.

At the summit, Yoon highlighted Korea's track record of nuclear power plant exports, including a deal with the United Arab Emirates for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and its being selected as the preferred bidder for a Czech nuclear power plant project.

The Philippine government plans to build three nuclear power plants by 2050.

Analysts said if Korea completes the feasibility study, it will gain the upper hand in winning nuclear power plant construction projects in the Philippines.

COOPERATION IN INFRASTRUCTURE, MINERALS

In addition to nuclear cooperation, the two leaders signed 21 other MOUs, including on infrastructure development and cooperation in raw material supplies.

In a related move, Korea agreed to provide $905 million in aid through its Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), a low-interest loan program to support infrastructure projects in developing countries, for the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network project.

Korea will also extend $1 billion from the EDCF program for the PGN bridge project connecting the three central Philippine islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros.

The amount — Korea’s largest-ever EDCF support — is expected to pave the way for Korean builders to join in future construction projects in the Philippines, industry officials said.

The mineral supply MOU is expected to help Korea should supply chain disruptions occur.

The Philippines is the world's second-largest nickel producer and sixth-largest cobalt producer.

FTA TO TAKE EFFECT SOON

In an interview with the Philippine Star, an English daily, President Yoon said he expects bilateral trade and investment to significantly expand once the Philippines-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) takes effect.

"The Philippines, with its young and dynamic population and abundant resources, and South Korea, with its high capabilities in manufacturing and advanced industries, have immense potential for cooperation," he said.

The two governments signed the FTA in September 2023, and last month the Korean government submitted the FTA deal to the National Assembly for ratification.

On the sidelines of the summit, the two presidents and more than 300 business leaders from the two countries participated in a business forum at a Manila hotel.

Korea was represented by Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Jay Y. Lee, Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Jin Roy Ryu, Hanwha Aerospace Co. Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, HD Hyundai Co. Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun and Korean Air Lines Co. Chairman Cho Won-tae.

Write to Gil-Sung Yang at vertigo@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.