Under an MoU on cooperation in the field of energy signed in October 2024 between KHNP and the Philippine Department of Energy, KHNP agreed to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the possible start up of the mothballed Bataan plant.

The Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) - being developed by a consortium led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) - is an integrated pressurised water reactor type nuclear power plant with an electrical output of 170 MW for both domestic use and export.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is increasing its diplomatic efforts to address US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to raise tariffs on South Korean automobiles, lumber and pharmaceuticals – as well as country-specific tariffs – from 15% to 25%

Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) and Vietnam’s state-owned energy company, Petrovietnam (PVN), also signed an MOU to develop a workforce for the nuclear power industry in the Vietnam, which plans to build four nuclear reactors by 2035.

Following the South Korean government's decision to restrict state-owned power-generating companies from importing Russian thermal coal from the spot market towards the end of 2023, Russian exports lost ground to Colombian thermal coal supply in recent months.

South Korea has been expanding its nuclear energy ambitions since President Yoon Suk-yeol assumed power in May 2022 and reversed former President Moon Jae-in's policy of phasing out nuclear power.

The SMR Alliance includes 11 government and public institutions, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and the Korea Energy Economics Institute, as well as 31 companies, including GS Energy, SK Inc, Samsung C&T, Daewoo E&C and Doosan Enerability.

As of August 2020, South Korea operates a fleet of 24 nuclear reactor units, representing 23.2 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, at four nuclear power complexes.

South Korean refiners imported 7.407 million barrels of US crude in May, compared with 11.516 million barrels a year earlier,

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement that 21 to 28 coal-fired power plants would be closed from March 1 to March 31 in an effort to reduce emissions of fine dust.