President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. accepts the credentials of the Chiefs of Mission from the Republic of Korea during the Presentation of Credentials Ceremony of New Ambassadors to the Philippines at the Malacañan Palace on July 10, 2023. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PPA Pool
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said that South Korea remains “interested” in the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), following the designation of the East Asian country’s new envoy to the Philippines.
South Korean Ambassador-designate Lee Sang-Hwa has submitted his credentials to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.
“We presented, submitted our proposal for joint feasibility study,” Lee told Marcos.
According to Malacañang, “Lee also reiterated South Korea’s commitment to the Philippines on energy cooperation, noting his country is keenly interested in Bataan Nuclear Power Plant energy generation.”
South Korea has previously offered $1 billion at their own cost to rehabilitate the BNPP.
READ: 7 countries offer to solve Philippines’ power problems
South Korea is the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner, with trade between the two countries reaching $15.44 billion in 2022.
The BNPP’s renewal has been repeatedly met with criticisms, with advocates saying it will not solve the country’s energy crisis, pointing out possible safety and environmental hazards. The power plant began as a pet project of Marcos Jr.’s father, late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
It was never used, and remains abandoned to this day. Marcos Jr. however, had expressed interest in reviving it in 2022.
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