There are a number of pressing needs for the US and Korea to cooperate on nuclear exports. First, cooperation in nuclear exports can provide an opportunity to break Russia and China’s geopolitical dominance in the nuclear export industry. Second, a cooperative effort in nuclear exports can spur a revitalization of the nuclear industries in both countries. Third, these cooperative efforts can make a difference in climate change and put both countries at the energy transition leadership. There are a number of opportunities for collaborating on nuclear technologies, particularly with SMRs and ARs, but there are also some considerations that need to be made regarding the Westinghouse and KEPCO-KHNP relationship. There are cooperation models that can serve as a template such as the UAE Barakah project, as well as others. Given the strong financing models of Rosatom, the US and Korea must also develop some kind of financing solution to compete in the global market.
