President Lee, "Korea is very interested in next-generation nuclear power plants," to Bill Gates

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung met with Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 21st and said, "The Korean government is also very interested in next-generation nuclear power plants."
Kang Yoo-jung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a briefing that "President Lee told Chairman Bill Gates that there are many domestic companies developing SMR (Small Modular Reactors) and their status in the global market is also growing."
At this meeting, Chairman Bill Gates mentioned, "With the expansion of AI and semiconductor industries, power demand is rapidly increasing, and SMR can be an effective solution." In response, President Lee emphasized, "Korea can indeed become a strong player in the (next-generation nuclear power) field," and "our companies also have tremendous strengths."
Meanwhile, regarding the joint venture entry into the nuclear power market by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Westinghouse, the Presidential Office stated, "We are reviewing various options that can enhance national interest, but nothing has been confirmed yet."

west@fnnews.com Sung Seok-woo Reporter