Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala held a significant meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Han Duck-soo, in Prague to explore potential areas of economic cooperation between the two nations and address shared foreign policy concerns, including North Korea’s provocations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Following their discussions, Prime Minister Han expressed their mutual concerns over North Korea’s continued provocations, particularly ballistic missile tests, despite being prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions. Both leaders emphasized the need for a robust international response to these provocations and stressed the importance of complete denuclearization of North Korea.

The conversation also delved into the situation in Ukraine, with both countries expressing their deep concern over the protracted conflict and the worsening humanitarian conditions. They pledged to actively engage in international efforts to bring an end to the conflict, establish peace, and contribute to post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.

In the realm of economic cooperation, Prime Minister Fiala welcomed South Korean investors’ interest in establishing battery production plants for electric cars in the Czech Republic. This move aligns with the Czech Republic’s commitment to enhancing the automotive industry and promoting sustainability, particularly by connecting lithium mining in Cinovec to electric car production, thereby creating a comprehensive supply chain.

Prime Minister Fiala also provided an update on the bids for the construction of a new unit at the Dukovany nuclear power plant, emphasizing the importance of nuclear energy in ensuring Czech energy security. The three bidders for this contract are Westinghouse (US), EDF (France), and KHNP (South Korea).

Beyond nuclear energy, both leaders explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and robotics. They also discussed the construction of high-speed railway corridors in the Czech Republic, aiming to foster effective technology transfer and knowledge sharing through a Czech-Korean working group.

Highlighting the excellent bilateral relations and the growing value of mutual trade, Prime Minister Fiala underscored the importance of the Czech Republic and South Korea as significant economic partners that share common values of democracy, freedom, and a market economy.

Prime Minister Han reinforced their commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas like electromobility, power industry, infrastructure, and defense, while also diversifying their collaboration in hydrogen technologies and small modular reactors. The meeting between the Czech and South Korean prime ministers signifies a step towards deepening ties and fostering greater collaboration in various sectors, reflecting the global interconnectedness of nations in today’s world.

Article by Prague Forum