“Through cooperation in nuclear power generation, Türkiye will carry forward its ‘blood alliance’ with Korea into the next century.”

Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, said in an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 25th at The Plaza Hotel in Jung District, Seoul, “Türkiye, which shed blood for Korea as a participant in the Korean War, is now being reborn as an ‘energy partner’,” adding these remarks. He continued, “The introduction of nuclear power is a centennial project that must be pursued with a view to several decades, from construction to operation and decommissioning,” and said, “Korea has outstanding capabilities and is a strategic partner that holds a special place in our hearts.”

Korea and Türkiye, which will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, agreed to pursue a new nuclear power plant project at a summit held in Ankara, Türkiye, in November last year. Visiting Korea for follow-up consultations, Minister Bayraktar said the nuclear project would open the floodgates for energy cooperation between the two countries and attached significance to it.

Located at a geopolitical crossroads linking Europe and Asia, Türkiye is focusing on infrastructure investment to become an “energy hub.” To secure 20 GW (gigawatts) of power generation capacity by 2050, it is working with Korea to promote the construction of a second nuclear power plant in the Sinop area on the Black Sea coast. He said, “Korea Electric Power Corporation has said it needs 12 months for the site assessment, but we have asked that this be shortened to six months,” signaling a push for speed.

He said, “We highly value the technological capabilities proven through Korea’s construction of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” and added, “Türkiye is open to additional energy cooperation with Korea.” In particular, he revealed that part of the power grid modernization project, into which USD 30 billion (about KRW 42 trillion) will be invested by 2035, could be entrusted to Korean companies. Once an ultra-high-voltage direct current transmission network (HVDC) is established through this project, it will be possible to export electricity to Europe. Türkiye is also reviewing cooperation with Korea in the field of small modular reactors (SMRs).

Minister Bayraktar said, “In future industries led by technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), power generation capacity is directly linked to a country’s economic security,” and added, “Türkiye will also continue its efforts to establish a stable power system.”

On the same day, Minister Bayraktar held back-to-back meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan, and Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan to discuss comprehensive economic cooperation measures focused on the energy sector.

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