Interview
Building Bridges, Powering Tomorrow through U.S.-ROK Nuclear Energy Cooperation
As world leaders gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) earlier this year during November 11–22, more nations considered the role of nuclear energy in combating climate change. In COP27, countries launched the Net-Zero Government Initiative with the goal of partner nations achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and in COP28, countries launched the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy, recognizing the role nuclear energy can play in achieving this target. Both the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are original signatories of the Net-Zero Government Initiative and the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy. In this Q&A, Jerome Siangco interviews Joo-ho Whang, president and chief executive officer of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), on the history of U.S.-ROK nuclear energy cooperation, its potential for bolstering U.S. and ROK efforts in achieving their net-zero targets by 2050, and its implications for the Indo-Pacific geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape in the coming years.
After the devastation of the Korean War, South Korea suffered from severe power shortages. How did this affect South Korea’s thinking on nuclear energy, and what role did nuclear power play in achieving the country’s energy security?
Shortly after the Korean War, Dr. Walker Lee Cisler, an American nuclear power expert, visited South Korea and recommended nuclear development, explaining that “nuclear energy is energy mined from the human brain.” This advice became the impetus for the country to adopt nuclear energy, leading to the construction of Kori Unit 1. At the time, South Korea was struggling with severe power shortages and needed a stable and affordable energy supply to rebuild its foundational industries. Nuclear power provided the answer and went on to play a crucial role in the nation’s economic revival.
How will U.S.-ROK cooperation play a role in accelerating the small modular reactor (SMR) market? What specific areas are South Korea and the United States collaborating on?
The world is working toward the commercialization of SMRs to meet the large-scale power demands of future advanced industries. In this regard, the cooperation between South Korea and the United States will be a solution to secure a leading position in the future SMR market by leveraging each country’s strengths. KHNP is South Korea’s only state-owned nuclear power operator. Recently, it decided to invest in the U.S. SMR company, TerraPower. Furthermore, KHNP is closely collaborating with the U.S. fuel company Centrus to secure a stable supply chain for the fuel of next-generation nuclear reactors. This is all to ensure that we stay ahead of global competitors in the rapidly advancing SMR sector.
The cooperation between South Korea and the United States in nuclear energy is crucial for global energy security and the acceleration of net-zero goals. What is South Korea’s role in this collaboration?
South Korea is the only country in the Western world that has constructed and operated more than 30 nuclear reactors over the past 50 years. As a result, the nuclear power supply chain has been stably maintained, and the country has a highly skilled workforce in construction and operation. Most importantly, the experience and confidence gained from completing the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on time and on budget further supports this. When the capabilities of South Korea, with its advanced technology and regulatory expertise, are combined with those of the United States, it will create a powerful synergy in the global nuclear market.
What are the potential impacts of U.S.-ROK nuclear cooperation on the broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape, and how could regional tensions affect future cooperation?
The cooperation between South Korea and the United States in nuclear energy has significant potential to reshape the geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. This partnership provides reassurance to regional allies and encourages countries in need of stable energy to adopt peaceful nuclear energy, fostering a more diverse energy environment. This will contribute to stability and shared interests across the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, if South Korea and the United States jointly uphold strict standards for nuclear technology and nuclear material transfers, this will strengthen the nuclear security framework in the region, enhancing global nonproliferation norms. It can also influence the adoption of similar standards as a model for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and a safe nuclear fuel cycle.
How does KHNP’s engagement with U.S. partners contribute to the advancement of U.S.-ROK nuclear cooperation?
KHNP first opened its Washington, D.C., office in June 2013 to obtain standard design certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In August 2019, KHNP achieved this certification, marking a significant milestone. It was the first foreign reactor design approved in the United States, a country known as the birthplace of nuclear power. More recently, KHNP established its North America Business Center in the heart of the U.S. capital in September 2024. This move aims to strengthen nuclear energy exchange and communication between South Korea and the United States at a corporate and national level, while also positioning the two countries as leaders in clean energy through nuclear power.
Joo-ho Whang is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from Georgia Tech. Since 1991, he has been a professor at Kyung Hee University. He has served in various roles, including as president of the Korean Nuclear Society, contributing significantly to South Korea’s nuclear industry.
This interview was conducted by Jerome Siangco, Senior Manager for Development and Outreach at NBR.