In brief
In an interview with Yonhap, President Erdogan said South Korea could partner with Turkey on the Sinop nuclear project after talks with Korea Electric Power Corporation. He urged increased Korean investment, aiming for a $15 billion trade target, and highlighted collaboration in defense, semiconductors, AI, and robotics. A summit with President Lee Jae‑Myung will take place during Erdogan's first visit to Seoul since 2018.
On November 2, 2026, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced during an interview with the South Korean news agency Yonhap that South Korea could join Turkey’s planned Sinop nuclear power station. The statement was made ahead of his state visit to Seoul, where he will summit with President Lee Jae‑Myung. Erdogan highlighted that technical and economic terms for the project, currently under study by the state‑run Korea Electric Power Corporation, were a focus of recent discussions.
The Sinop project is a nuclear power station planned for the Black Sea coast in Central‑Black Sea Turkey. The facility, still in the feasibility stage, is designed to supply clean electricity to Turkey’s north‑eastern grid and support the country’s growing energy mix. By exploring nuclear options, Turkey aims to diversify away from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions.
A nuclear power station is a plant that harnesses nuclear fission—a controlled splitting of atomic nuclei—to generate heat, which then produces steam that drives turbines connected to electricity generators. The process allows large amounts of energy to be produced with minimal carbon output, but it requires rigorous safety and regulatory oversight.
Erdogan said the Turkish government is weighing financing options, electricity costs, and economic benefits before choosing a partner for the Sinop site. The talks with Korea Electric Power Corporation focus on the technical feasibility of advanced reactors and the long‑term economics of construction and operation. The potential partnership could bring Korean expertise in safety and reactor technology.
Technical and Economic Factors Under Consideration
Technical terms discussed include the incident of capacity, safety margins, and cooling systems, all of which are central to meeting the International Atomic Energy Agency standards that Turkey is pursuing for the Sinop site. The financial arrangements involve projected capital expenditures, cost‑of‑electricity estimates, and financing models that could allow shared equity between Turkish and Korean entities. The possibility of a joint venture or a strategic partnership would also need to address regulatory conformity and the certification process for the reactor design.
Erdogan also pointed to broader arenas of cooperation beyond the nuclear domain. Defense technology, semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and robotics were listed as potential joint‑development areas. These sectors align with Turkey’s modernization agenda and South Korea’s strengths in high‑tech innovation. The president urged more Korean investment and joint production across these industrial sectors.
Economic and Strategic Outlook
The bilateral trade relationship is already under a target of $15 billion, with Erdogan calling for actions to eliminate the existing trade imbalance favoring South Korea. The announcement came amid broader efforts by Ankara to attract Korean companies into transport, logistics, and infrastructure projects that could create stronger land‑and‑sea links between Asia and Europe. Such initiatives could leverage Turkey’s geographic position as a bridge between the two continents.
Erdogan’s comments follow his first state visit to South Korea since 2018. The summit with President Lee Jae‑Myung is slated for Tuesday during a three‑day trip that also will include discussions on energy policy, regional security, and joint research ventures. The visit signals a renewed emphasis on diplomatic engagement with Seoul.
While the project’s future depends on extensive technical evaluation and financing decisions to be made in the next months, Ankara will eventually evaluate the cost of electricity production, potential revenue streams, and the competitiveness relative to other energy options before formally signing any partnership agreement.
Should a partnership materialize, the Sinop nuclear power station could become a testbed for advanced nuclear technology in the region, offering lessons in safety, energy efficiency, and international collaboration. Ankara’s pursuit of a diversified energy mix, combined with Korea’s nuclear expertise, underscores a strategic convergence that could reshape Turkey’s energy landscape and strengthen ties with the Korean Republic.
