Four of the cooling towers of the Dukovany nuclear power plant rise high above the natural surroundings of Dukovany, Czech Republic, Sept. 27, 2011. AP-Yonhap

The Czech Republic's antitrust authority has imposed a temporary hold on a deal to build two nuclear reactors, for which a Korean consortium was chosen as the preferred bidder in July, news reports showed Wednesday.

Citing an official from the Office for the Protection of Competition, AFP reported that the hold was a precautionary measure in response to appeals filed by Westinghouse and French energy company Electricite de France, which allege patent infringements related to reactor design technology.

The official clarified the decision does not imply any outcome regarding the issue, it reported.

Korea's consortium, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), was seeking to finalize the contract to build two nuclear reactors in Dukovany by March.

The CEZ Group, the power company awarding the project, told Reuters, "(The company) is convinced it acted in accordance with the applicable laws from the first moment in the selection of the preferred bidder."

An official at Korea's industry ministry told Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday that the Czech antitrust body's decision is nothing but "a standard procedure" in response to a competitor's objection.

The official expected the measure not to affect the final contract.

Earlier in the day, Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged the government's full support to help KHNP secure a final deal to export reactors to the Czech Republic.

He made the remarks while attending a ceremony marking the completion of the Shin-Hanul 1 and 2 nuclear units, as well as the groundbreaking for the Shin-Hanul 3 and 4 units in Uljin, located about 215 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

"We will use the Czech nuclear project as a stepping stone to further expand export opportunities for our nuclear industry," he said, vowing efforts to normalize the nuclear industry ecosystem.

If finalized, the deal — estimated at around 24 trillion won ($17.3 billion) — will mark Korea's second nuclear power plant export, following its 2009 project in the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, Yoon visited the Czech Republic to show support and strengthen collaboration on nuclear power initiatives. Shortly after his visit, KHNP said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a Czech hydrogen association to seek cooperation on clean hydrogen initiatives. (Yonhap)