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According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) discussed ways to step up nuclear cooperation as the Middle Eastern nation's first nuclear reactor is set to start operations later this year, Seoul's energy ministry said Tuesday.

Paik Un-gyu, Korean minister of trade, industry and energy, met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, during his visit to Seoul to share the latest issues in the energy industry, the ministry said.

The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has been building the UAE's first nuclear power station in Barakah in the country's western region under a 2008 deal.

KEPCO formed a consortium with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC) to build four Korean-designed APR-1500 pressurized water reactors in Barakah, with one scheduled to begin operations within the first half of this year.

When complete, the power station will deliver up to a quarter of the UAE's electricity.

The two sides agreed to provide support for the project to successfully finalize the construction and start operations.

In light of the project, Paik proposed that the UAE jointly bid for Saudi Arabia's nuclear project, and Al Mubarak, also chairman of ENEC's board of directors, gave a positive response, the ministry said.


Paik Un-gyu (R), Korean minister of trade, industry and energy, and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi (L) (Yonhap)

ejkim@yna.co.kr

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