President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a keynote speech at the Korea-Czech Business Forum held at a hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday (local time). Yonhap

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — President Yoon Suk Yeol, on the second day of his official state visit to the Czech Republic, called for leveraging the momentum of nuclear sector cooperation between the two countries to broaden partnerships in the high-tech, transportation, and infrastructure sectors.

In his keynote speech at the "Korea-Czech Business Forum" held in Prague on Friday morning (local time), Yoon proposed that the two countries collaborate to achieve a "nuclear energy renaissance" while enhancing economic cooperation across various sectors.

"The good news from July was that Team Korea was selected as the preferred bidder for the Czech Republic's new nuclear power plant project. Now is the time to take a step forward for deeper collaboration, by initiating a 'Team Czech-Korea' to jointly achieve a nuclear renaissance," the Korean president highlighted at the forum.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Czech President Petr Pavel stand next to each other at the Korea-Czech Business Forum held at a hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday (local time). Yonhap

"We should leverage the momentum of cooperation in the nuclear sector across various industries. To this end, we will institutionalize comprehensive cooperation by signing a Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) between the two governments, discuss key cooperation projects through the Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue (SCED), and strengthen the foundation for cooperation in advanced industries, such as establishing a battery industry cooperation center and expanding collaboration in hydrogen fuel cells," Yoon said at the forum, stressing that aerospace, biotechnology, advanced chemistry and materials, digital technology, and energy have been identified as promising areas for collaboration between research institutions of both countries.

Yoon highlighted that even before Korea and the Czech Republic established diplomatic relations in 1990, the Korea-Czech Economic Cooperation Committee was founded in 1989, marking the beginning of exchanges between the business communities of both nations.

"Now, 35 years later, engineers from both countries are working together at Hyundai's Nosovice plant, producing vehicles that are exported to 74 countries," Yoon added.

The Korean president also underscored the significance of infrastructure cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted that Korea is the fourth nation globally to independently develop and export high-speed rail vehicles. Yoon expressed hope that Korean companies could play a role in building and operating the Czech Republic's high-speed rail network. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts in providing humanitarian aid for the reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure.

Lee Jae-yong, right, chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Chung Euisun, executive chair of Hyundai Motor Group, converse during the Korea-Czech Business Forum held at a hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday (local time). Yonhap

The forum, co-hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Czech Chamber of Commerce (CCC), and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, aimed to explore visions for economic cooperation and enhance business ties between the two countries. The event drew more than 470 participants, including business leaders and government officials from both nations.

From Korea, key attendees included prominent business leaders such as Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and head of SK Group, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, Euisun Chung, executive chair of Hyundai Motor Group, Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG, and Jang In-hwa, chairman of POSCO Group.

Czech President Petr Pavel, Zdenek Zajicek, president of the CCC, and Jan Rafaj, president of the Czech Confederation of Industry, also attended the forum, actively supporting and promoting economic collaboration between the two countries.

Koo Kwang-mo, right, chairman of LG Group, and Jang In-hwa, chairman of POSCO Group, take part in the Korea-Czech Business Forum held at a hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday (local time). Yonhap