[Anchor]
The government reported the details of the US investment negotiations to the ruling party today (September 7). As discussed during previous consultations, the final memorandum of understanding is expected to include the construction of eight nuclear power plants and a Texas gas-combined cycle power plant.
Reporting is by Reporter Kang Min-u.
[Reporter]
The government reported the general framework of the business direction to the ruling party today during a closed-door party-government consultation meeting regarding the US investment negotiations.
According to ruling bloc officials, the government reported on three main initiatives: building nuclear power plants in the US, a gas-combined cycle power plant, and the Alaska LNG project.
First, regarding nuclear power, the plan to build a total of eight nuclear power plants in the US, as discussed in previous negotiation processes, is expected to be included in the MOU.
However, during the negotiations, the US side demanded the acquisition of a stake in Westinghouse alongside building all eight plants using Westinghouse's AP1000 model, while the South Korean side has countered that at least two must be built using Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's APR1400 model to secure commercial viability, leaving this as a variable until the final agreement.
The construction of the Texas gas-combined cycle power plant is reported to be on a scale of 30 trillion won, an increase of 3 trillion won from previous projections.
This has materialized it as the "first project."
In addition, it has been learned that participation in the Alaska LNG pipeline project, requested by the US side, will also be included in this MOU.
However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that the specific details of the US investment, including whether it will be the first project, have not yet been finalized.
This is interpreted as stemming from a decision not to reveal South Korea's cards until the very end, considering semiconductor variables such as tariffs and local US investment demands, as well as the uniquely aggressive and unpredictable negotiation style of the US Trump administration.
The government plans to sign the US investment MOU as early as the 18th, and a tug-of-war between South Korea and the US is expected to continue until right before the final agreement.
(Camera filming: Jeong Sang-bo, Video editing: Won Hyeong-hee, Design: Lee Ga-jin)
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