In brief
President Erdogan emphasized that South Korea would be a vital partner for Turkey’s planned Sinop nuclear power plant and urged deeper collaboration in defense, semiconductors, robotics, AI, and logistics. He reiterated the need to carefully evaluate nuclear options while encouraging Korean firms to invest in Turkey’s manufacturing and transport sectors amid rising geopolitical tensions. Uncertainties remain over the final nuclear decision and the scope of future cooperation.
In an exclusive written interview with Yonhap News Agency ahead of a planned state visit to Seoul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said South Korea would be an important partner for Turkey’s planned Sinop nuclear power plant and urged broader cooperation in defense, advanced technologies and logistics amid growing geopolitical risks.
Earlier this week, Erdogan announced that the president’s visit to Seoul would "enhance political dialogue and revitalize bilateral economic ties," according to the interview.
During the interview, Erdogan said, “We regard the Republic of Korea as a great potential collaborator on this initiative.” This statement follows a memorandum of understanding signed last year on nuclear energy cooperation during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Turkey.
The 2024 signed memo covers cooperation in reactor technology, site assessment, licensing, financing and business models, and Turkey has since conducted extensive feasibility studies with Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) under the guidance of the Korean state‑run firm.
Erdogan added that Turkey is "well aware of our Korean friends' experience with nuclear energy" and that the country “is taking into account our contacts with other countries and examining all possible choices in light of our national interests.” The president emphasized the project’s technical feasibility and economic conditions remain in flux, with the final decision yet to be made.
Beyond nuclear matters, Erdogan expressed optimism about expanding bilateral cooperation in defense and chips, stating that Turkey “has no doubt” that partnerships in semiconductors, robotics and artificial intelligence can be mutually beneficial. The president noted that South Korea's interest in Turkey’s PD170 turbodiesel aircraft engine could further boost defense industry cooperation.
In a separate point, Erdogan encouraged Korean firms to increase investment in Turkey’s manufacturing and transport sectors, specifically highlighting the potential for logistics collaboration in the Black Sea region due to the planned Sinop plant’s proximity to shipping lanes.
State‑level officials from both Ankara and Seoul signed the nuclear memorandum after Turkey’s first nuclear power plant at Akkuyu, a collaboration that involved Russian Rosatom and South Korean firms. This context underscores Turkey’s desire to diversify its energy partners and reduce dependence on any single provider.
The interview also touched on the broader geopolitical context. Erdogan called for “a comprehensive assessment of global uncertainties” as Turkey’s energy and defense strategies shift to accommodate independent decision‑making.
South Korea has represented itself as capable of providing technology and financing for nuclear projects, while Turkey seeks to leverage the combined expertise for domestic energy security. Critics argue that nuclear projects bear high costs, and Turkey is looking at other energy possibilities including renewables and fossil fuels.
While Ankara and Seoul have agreed on a framework for technology sharing, the public record shows that the final stage – setting the cost, financing model, and actual construction schedule – remains pending. Nonetheless, Erdogan’s statements signal a clear intent to deepen ties and keep the negotiations open.
In sum, President Erdogan is pushing for a dual‑pronged partnership with South Korea that would encompass nuclear power, advanced technology, defense, and logistics, while carefully weighing the financial and strategic implications of such ventures.
Nonetheless, the deal’s outcome is still unsettled: the final decision on the Sinop plant will hinge on cost, financing, and Turkey’s assessment of its national interests, while the depth of cooperation in defense, AI, and logistics remains subject to further negotiation with Seoul and other international partners.
