[Unofficial Translation] 

Honorable President Petr Pavel and distinguished business leaders from the Republic of Korea and the Czech Republic,

It is truly meaningful that we will discuss our vision for bilateral economic cooperation here at the Korea-Czech Republic Business Forum in Prague, the heart of Europe.

Even before establishing diplomatic relations, our two countries launched the Joint Czech-Korean Economic Committee in 1989, enabling business communities in both countries to start exchanges. That same year, Korean-made cars were exported to Czechia via the Trans-Siberian Railway for the first time. Fast-forward 35 years, Hyundai automobiles, co-manufactured in Nošovice, Czechia, by engineers from both countries, are being exported to 74 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

Today, Korea is the fourth-largest investor in the Czech Republic, with over 100 Korean companies contributing to its development and employment. Our increasingly vibrant economic exchanges have driven bilateral trade to record highs for four years in a row. All of this demonstrates how our countries have advanced an exemplary partnership, and all of the business leaders present here are the main drivers of this achievement.

Distinguished business leaders,

This past July, we received some terrific news: “Team Korea” was selected as the preferred bidder for the Czech project to build new nuclear power plants. I can confidently say that Team Korea, which has world-class competitiveness in nuclear power plant construction and operation, will prove to be an optimal partner for this project. Team Korea will do everything possible to ensure the success of the Dukovany project, and the Korean government will also provide all the support necessary. Thank you.

Moreover, this nuclear cooperation will elevate our bilateral relationship to a higher level, a comprehensive, forward-looking partnership.

The first step is the joint construction of the nuclear power plants by Korean and Czech companies in Dukovany; they will stand as a symbol of bilateral cooperation. We will support joint research between universities and research institutes in both countries in the field of nuclear energy. What’s more, both nations will jointly nurture relevant professionals at the Korean-Czech Nuclear Cooperation Center to be established at Brno University of Technology in Czechia.

Today, I’m going to visit Plzeň to sign our two governments’ MOUs on nuclear power cooperation and lay the foundation for collaboration across the entire lifecycle of the nuclear power ecosystem – from plant construction to technological cooperation and human resources training. Let’s build upon Team Korea and create Team Czech-Korea to jointly usher in a nuclear power renaissance.

In addition, we need to spread this momentum for cooperation in the nuclear power sector to industries across the board. The Czech Republic is home to Škoda, a leader of industry with roots going back to 1869. As such, the country has a long history as an industrial powerhouse and is equipped with a solid manufacturing base. Hence, the possibility for cooperation between our two countries is limitless.

Both countries are also faced with the daunting task of having to upgrade their flagship manufacturing sectors into cutting-edge industries that comply with carbon neutrality goals and take advantage of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, both countries see eye-to-eye on the aim of this cooperation.

During my visit here, a Trade and Investment Promotion Framework(TIPF) between our two governments will be signed to provide institutional support for comprehensive cooperation across all industries. We will also establish a Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue (SCED) to discuss key issues of bilateral cooperation and meticulously follow up on the achievements.

First of all, businesses from both countries are already working closely together on a promising field – eco-friendly electric vehicles. As part of the effort to promote cooperation between our industries and academic and research institutes in the battery manufacturing field – the core of electric vehicles – we will strengthen the foundation for relevant cooperation. One example is the battery industry collaboration center that is in the works. Also, cooperation will be greatly expanded in future-oriented industries like ultramodern vehicles and advanced robots where our two countries anticipate synergy.

Continued expansion of bilateral industrial cooperation requires a solid foundation for science- and technology-related cooperation. Promising areas for cooperation between our two countries’ research institutes include aerospace, biohealth, chemical materials and advanced chemistry, digital technology and energy. Together, they form the acronym “ABCDE.” With such a foundation for bilateral cooperation in science and technology in place, we will actively support uninterrupted people-to-people exchanges as well as joint research between our two countries.

Bilateral infrastructure cooperation is just as important as industrial cooperation. Located in the center of Europe, Czechia is a transportation and logistics hub connecting the East and the West. In particular, the high-speed rail project being pursued by the Czech government will become a key piece of national infrastructure, allowing the country to emerge as a logistics hub for Europe in name and fact. Korea is the fourth country in the world to independently develop and export high-speed train cars. Just as Korean companies are specialists known for building nuclear power plants “on time, on budget,” our high-speed rail businesses have gained a reputation for constructing “fast and safe” rail networks. I hope that Korean companies will be able to contribute to building and operating Czechia’s high-speed rail infrastructure going forward.

We must also work together to provide humanitarian support for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Houses, schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure destroyed by the war must be rebuilt urgently so the Ukrainian people can return to their normal daily lives as soon as possible. The governments and businesses of our two countries also need to actively work together in cooperation with the international community to help rebuild Ukraine.

Distinguished business leaders,

Korea and Czechia have won many achievements by working together over the past 35 years. I am confident that the nuclear power station project will serve as an opportunity to usher in a new era of cooperation that will unfold over the next 60 years.

Just as Czech track-and-field hero Emil Zátopek did not let up after winning gold in the 5,000m race but went on to take Olympic gold in the marathon, let’s not rest content with what we have achieved but run even harder toward a brighter future.

I look forward to today’s event serving as an opportunity for both countries’ business leaders to share their visions for cooperation and strengthen friendships.

Thank you very much.