[Anchor]

The government has reported the details of the U.S. investment negotiations to the ruling party. As previously discussed, the final memorandum of understanding is expected to include the construction of nuclear power plants and a Texas gas-combined cycle power plant.

Reporter Kang Min-u has the details.

[Reporter]

During a closed-door consultation session between the government and the ruling party yesterday (the 7th), the government reported the broad direction of the U.S. investment negotiations.

According to ruling bloc officials, the government briefed them on three projects: building nuclear power plants in the U.S., a gas-combined cycle power plant, and the Alaska LNG project.

First, regarding nuclear power, the MOU is expected to include the "construction of a total of eight nuclear power plants in the U.S.," as emerged from the previous negotiation process.

However, variables remain until a final agreement is reached. During the negotiations, the U.S. side demanded the acquisition of a stake in Westinghouse alongside building all eight reactors using Westinghouse's "AP1000" model, while the South Korean side has countered that at least two reactors must be built using Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's "APR1400" to secure "commercial rationality."

It was reported that the construction of the Texas gas-combined cycle power plant will amount to 30 trillion won, an increase of 3 trillion won from previous projections.

This effectively materializes it as the "first project."

It was also learned that participation in the Alaska LNG pipeline project, requested by the U.S. side, will be included in this MOU.

However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that specific details of the U.S. investment, including whether it will be designated as the first project, have not yet been finalized.

This is interpreted as stemming from a determination not to reveal South Korea's cards until the very end, considering semiconductor variables such as tariffs and local U.S. investment demands, as well as the aggressive and unpredictable negotiation style characteristic of the U.S. administration under Trump.

The government plans to sign the U.S. investment MOU as early as the 18th, and the tug-of-war between South Korea and the U.S. is expected to continue right up until the final agreement.

(Camera Reporter: Jeong Sang-bo, Video Editor: Won Hyeong-hee, Design: Lee Ga-jin)