Yeongdeok-gun, South Korea, Signs Cooperation Agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for New Nuclear Power Plant Construction

On July 29, Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, signed the "Mutual Cooperation Agreement for New Nuclear Power Plant Construction and Regional Development" with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) at the KHNP headquarters in Gyeongju.

Under the agreement, both parties will strengthen collaboration in the process of advancing the new nuclear power plant, including expanding local enterprise participation, creating job opportunities, cultivating local talent, improving education and welfare infrastructure, and cooperating in administrative support and licensing procedures. At the same time, both sides will establish a mechanism for continuous communication with the local community to align project construction with regional development.

In June 2025, Yeongdeok-gun was selected as the site for two new large-scale nuclear power plants promoted by the South Korean government and KHNP. Since then, the local government has continued to advance subsequent administrative procedures such as the announcement of the planned area, and has focused on implementing the system, including establishing an energy portfolio committee and setting up a dedicated organization.

Yeongdeok-gun County Governor Jo Ju-hong stated that while promoting the construction of the new nuclear power plant, he hopes to jointly address local concerns through close communication and cooperation, including the prompt restoration of special disaster areas affected by wildfires and responding to requests to include Nomu-ri village in the planned site for the nuclear power plant.