SEOUL — Following a decision taken during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to South Korea in November 2025, the energy ministers of the two countries met in Seoul and agreed to accelerate joint nuclear energy projects and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Nuclear energy cooperation between Turkey and South Korea has gained momentum after the summit held in Ankara between Erdoğan and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar in Seoul to review progress on existing nuclear energy initiatives and explore new avenues for collaboration. The meeting was described as a concrete follow-up step to the leaders’ summit in November.
During that summit, South Korea’s state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Türkiye Nükleer Enerji A.Ş. to expand cooperation in nuclear energy. Under the agreement, KEPCO aims to participate in Turkey’s planned second nuclear power plant project in Sinop. The parties have launched a preliminary feasibility study for the project.
Minister Kim highlighted South Korea’s more than 50 years of experience in building and operating nuclear power plants, describing his country as “the most suitable partner” for Turkey’s project and calling for a deeper strategic partnership in nuclear energy.
Broader Strategic Cooperation
In addition to nuclear energy, the ministers discussed expanding cooperation in strategic sectors such as bio-health, infrastructure and the defense industry. They also addressed strengthening coordination in critical minerals and supply chains.
Despite growing uncertainty in global trade, bilateral trade volume reached a record $10.7 billion last year, officials noted.
Minister Bayraktar also met with South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Koo Yun-Cheol, to review the current state and future prospects of Turkey–South Korea economic relations.
The two sides subsequently held the 9th Term Turkey–South Korea Joint Economic Commission (KEK) Meeting and signed the meeting protocol.
In a statement following the meetings, Bayraktar emphasized that the two countries had outlined a comprehensive framework to make their bilateral trade volume—now exceeding $11 billion—more balanced and sustainable, increase mutual investments and diversify economic cooperation.
The ministers agreed to deepen collaboration in nuclear energy, energy, natural gas, mining and critical minerals, while advancing concrete projects in industry, transportation, agriculture, health and education.
Bayraktar expressed confidence that the KEK process would provide a more institutionalized, diversified and results-oriented foundation for bilateral economic relations, adding that both co-chairs would closely monitor the implementation of agreed decisions.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök