Korean Reactors in U.S. Mark New Chapter in Economic Alliance
South Korea has tentatively secured a deal to build at least two APR1400 nuclear reactors in the United States. This agreement is part of a larger $120 billion project to construct eight reactors in the U.S. The deal marks Korea's entry into the U.S. nuclear market 68 years after its Atomic Energy Act was enacted. This development also begins to ease intellectual property restrictions with Westinghouse, which previously limited Korean reactor exports to advanced markets.
Korea building reactors in the U.S. is not the only important aspect of this story. Washington needs stable power for its AI industry. U.S. demand for data center energy is driving this project. Seoul's persistence in securing the APR1400 design against Westinghouse's preference for its AP1000 is a significant win for Korea. The AP1000 has faced high construction costs, making its commercial viability uncertain.
This deal offers a crucial opening for Korea's nuclear industry. It could resolve intellectual property restrictions with Westinghouse, allowing broader market access to Europe. Korea’s ability to deliver projects on time and budget gives it a competitive edge against other nuclear technology providers.
The test for Korea will be its ability to modernize its nuclear industry structure for exports. It must also address workforce capacity issues, which declined under a previous nuclear phase-out policy. If Korea can deliver its projects in the U.S. by 2050, it will open up a market where the Trump administration aims for 400 gigawatts of nuclear capacity.
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