{
  "id": 17025193,
  "title": "US official calls Korean firms' participation in nuclear expansion 'almost mandatory'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/us-official-calls-korean-firms-participation-in-nuclear-expansion-17025193",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T07:17:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20261029/us-official-calls-korean-firms-participation-in-nuclear-expansion-almost-mandatory"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A U.S. government official has stated that Korean companies' participation in the U.S. nuclear expansion is nearly mandatory, according to a source in Seoul. This statement was made during the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in Incheon. The official emphasized the importance of Korean involvement in advancing the nuclear renaissance in the U.S. and globally. They added that Korean firms possess valuable experience in this field that can greatly contribute to the process.\n\nThe 123 Agreement, the bilateral pact that governs civil nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and Korea, does not hinder Korean companies from participating. The official clarified that export-control requirements, which pertain to exported technology, are merely standard procedures and not a barrier under the agreement. The Korean industry is already involved in several U.S. projects, with SK holding a prominent position.",
  "summary": "Washington considers the participation of Korean companies all but essential to its nuclear expansion, a U.S. government official familiar with the matter said in Seoul Thursday, as the two countries look to build reactors at home and in third countries. “I think it's almost mandatory that we will have Korean companies involved,” the official said, after attending the International Ministerial…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) N. Korea's missiles flew around 250 km: S. Korean military",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/urgent-n-koreas-missiles-flew-around-250-km-s-korean-military",
        "published": "2026-10-29T05:36:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}