What is South Koreas current status in the global civil nuclear industry?
Mark Hibbs: South Korea has steadily built up its nuclear power sector over the last three decades, primarily in partnership with the United States. It now has 20 reactors in operation — more than Germany — and possibly plans to add 20 more over the next two or three decades. South Korea wants to reduce its imports of energy fuels and reduce its carbon footprint. Over the last 20 years, U.S. vendor companies have transferred to Korean firms the know-how to build reactors, improve designs, manufacture fuel, make key nuclear components, and manage projects. South Korea is now entering the world nuclear power plant market as a competitor to firms in the United States, France, Russia, and Japan.
