World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Erdogan says South Korea could partner in Turkey's Sinop nuclear project
Erdogan says South Korea could partner in Turkey's planned Sinop nuclear plant on the Black Sea coast.
Turkey has been studying the project's technical and economic conditions with state-run Korea Electric Power Corp.
No partner has been chosen, and Turkey is also considering other options.
The decision will weigh financing, electricity costs and the project's benefits to Turkey's economy.
The two countries signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement last year, covering areas such as reactor technology, licensing and financing.
Erdogan is visiting Seoul and is due to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at a summit on Tuesday.
He also wants wider cooperation in technology, defense and logistics, and says the countries are working toward a $15 billion trade target while addressing an imbalance in South Korea's favor.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said South Korea could be a partner in Turkey’s planned Sinop nuclear power plant.
Turkey has conducted preliminary feasibility studies with state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. and is evaluating the project’s technical and economic conditions.
Erdogan said the final choice would consider financing, electricity costs and benefits to Turkey’s economy.
He made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap ahead of a state visit to Seoul.
Erdogan also called for wider cooperation with South Korea in technology, defence, investment, transport and logistics.
- Who
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said South Korea could partner in the project.
- What
- Turkey is considering South Korea as a partner for its planned Sinop nuclear power plant.
- When
- Erdogan made the remarks in an interview ahead of his state visit to Seoul, reported on Nov. 2.
- Where
- Sinop, on Turkey’s Black Sea coast.
- Why
- Turkey is assessing the project’s technical and economic conditions, including financing, electricity costs and benefits to its economy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
South Korea and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy cooperation.
Turkey conducted preliminary feasibility studies with state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. and continued evaluating the project.
Erdogan gave an exclusive written interview to Yonhap about the project and wider bilateral cooperation.
Erdogan was due to arrive in Seoul for a three-day state visit.
Erdogan was scheduled to hold a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
- Project
- Planned Sinop nuclear power plant on Turkey’s Black Sea coast
- Potential South Korean partner
- Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO)
- Project assessment
- Technical and economic conditions are being evaluated
- Decision factors
- Power generation costs, financing arrangements and benefits to Turkey’s economy
- Visit
- Erdogan’s three-day state visit to Seoul was due to begin Nov. 2, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
We regard the Republic of Korea as a great potential collaborator on this initiative,
We are taking into account our contacts with other countries and examining all possible choices in light of our national interests,
We attach considerable importance to the negotiations we are holding with Korea on this topic. We are well aware of our Korean friends' experience with nuclear energy,
The current crisis has once again demonstrated just how vital it is to develop reliable alternative routes for international trade,