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Nov 6
1h 9m

Can South Korea Rescue America's Nuclear...

DR. CHRIS KEEFER
About this episode

South Korea emerged from the devastation of the Korean War as one of the world's poorest countries. Within a generation, it had become an industrial powerhouse, mastering nuclear technologies originally imported from the United States and Canada. Today, Korean firms are among the world's most capable nuclear constructors, having delivered four APR1400 reactors at the UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant. Now the tables may be turning. With Washington pursuing an ambitious nuclear revival, the United States is looking to South Korea for the manufacturing expertise, skilled workforce and construction capabilities needed to turn its nuclear ambitions into reality.Chris Keefer is joined by Eun Jung Lim, professor at Kongju National University and visiting scholar at Stanford's Asia-Pacific Research Center, to explore Korea's extraordinary nuclear odyssey. They trace its origins in the developmental state of Park Chung-hee, the unlikely collaboration with North Korea through KEDO, and the industrial achievements that made Barakah possible. They also examine the controversial intellectual property dispute and global settlement between Westinghouse and KEPCO, the proposed $120 billion Korean investment in American nuclear projects, and whether demographic decline threatens Korea's hard-won industrial advantage. Can the former apprentice help rebuild the nuclear industry of its American teacher?Listen to Decouple on:• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PNr3ml8nEQotWWavE9kQz• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decouple/id1516526694?uo=4• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1516526694/decouple• Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ehbfrn44• RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/23775178/podcast/rssWebsite: https://www.decouple.media

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