- Discussions on development and expansion of nuclear energy amidst shifts in global energy environment -

Ambassador for ROK-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Rim Kap-soo attended the 2026 Nuclear Energy Summit held in Paris, France, on Tuesday, March 10. During the meeting, discussions focused on ways to develop and expand civil nuclear power to meet the increasing electricity demand, and on innovative ways to overcome challenges facing the nuclear industry, such as financing.

Co-hosted by the French government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), this summit was attended by summit-level and ministerial-level officials from 40 countries and international organizations that are pursuing the introduction or expansion of nuclear energy. The summit was further enhanced by the participation of major international organizations dedicated to promoting nuclear energy development, including the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

* (Summit-level): France, the European Union (EU), Rwanda, China, Croatia, Armenia, Morocco, Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, among others 

(High-level): the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the United States, Slovenia, Egypt, Italy, Serbia, Türkiye, Latvia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cyprus, South Africa, Romania, Switzerland, Ghana, Lithuania, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, among others

At the summit, Ambassador Rim emphasized that nuclear energy is a key energy source that can simultaneously address climate change and ensure energy security amid a volatile global energy environment characterized by surging electricity demand in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and instability in the Middle East.

He explained Korea’s recent decision to construct two large-scale domestic nuclear power plants and one Small Modular Reactor (SMR). He also conveyed Korea’s commitment to continuously strengthening the full-cycle supply chain, encompassing design, manufacturing, construction, and operation, to ensure that this domestic foundation leads to enhanced export competitiveness.

Furthermore, Ambassador Rim emphasized that the Republic of Korea, as a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), firmly adheres to the principles of non-proliferation, safeguards, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. He stated that Korea will continue to contribute to strengthening the global non-proliferation regime through cooperation with the IAEA and the international community.

This summit, held two years after the inaugural meeting in 2024, served as an opportunity to expand international consensus on the role of nuclear energy in addressing global challenges such as climate change and energy security. It also showcased Korea's civil nuclear technology and industrial capabilities, including both large-scale reactors and SMRs, to the global community.