KEDO Website Opened

Timed to coincide with the start of the construction of two nuclear reactors in the DPRK, the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) announced the Internet address of its web site :www.kedo.org. The website provides information on press releases, fact sheets, annual reports, and other documents concerning the light-water reactor project.

KEDO Signs Contract to Start Construction of LWRs in DPRK

The U.S.-led international consortium signed a $4.6 billion deal on Dec. 15 to launch a full-scale construction of two LWRs in north Korea, with south Korea's Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO).

"The preparatory work for the construction of the plants is now complete and we anticipate little trouble in moving ahead," a KEPCO official was quoted as saying.

Under the contract, signed between KEDO Executive Director Desaix Anderson and KEPCO President Choi Su Byong, KEDO will start construction work by the end of this year for two 1,000 megawatt light-water reactors in Kumho in South Hamgyong Province on the northeastern coast of the DPRK.

KEPCO said the completion of the project would likely be delayed until at least 2007, four years behind schedule.

KEDO is an international energy consortium established in 1995 to provide two light-water reactors with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts each to the DPRK in exchange for Pyongyang's commitment to freeze its planned graphite-moderated reactors, as agreed upon in the 1994 Geneva Agreed Framework. Under the landmark Geneva accord, the U.S. promises to provide the DPRK with 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil annually, until the reactors start operation.

Both Pyongyang and Washington have considered the project a significant step toward improving their bilateral ties.

KEDO consists of 12 member countries, including the U.S., south Korea, Japan, the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some Latin American and European countries.

KEDO Press Release

Wednesday, December 15, 1999

KEDO Signs Contract For Light-Water
Reactor Project In North Korea

The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) signed a turn-key contract with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) on December 15 at KEPCO headquarters in Seoul.

The contract stipulates the terms and conditions of the design, construction, and commissioning of the light-water reactor (LWR) plants being constructed in Kumho, the Democratic Peopleﾕs Republic of Korea (DPRK). The TKC will enable KEDO to proceed to full-scale construction work. Preparatory construction work started in August 1997 with activities such as grading and infrastructure development under a Preliminary Works Contract (PWC) with KEPCO.

The commencement of full-scale construction work will signal a major step forward in the LWR project. Under the LWR project, KEDO will provide the DPRK with two 1,000 megawatt light-water reactors. KEDO will also continue to supply the DPRK with heavy fuel oil until the first plant is completed.

The signing ceremony in Seoul was followed by a press conference by KEDO Executive Director Desaix Anderson and KEPCO President Choi Soo-Byung.

Back Home