[Edaily Reporter Seong Joowon ] As the commercialization of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the U.S. faces structural limitations—namely, a lack of manufacturing capacity and skilled labor—an analysis suggests that South Korea has emerged as a key partner to address these challenges. Thomas Byrne, a senior advisor at BKL Pacific Law Firm and former president of the Korea Society in the U.S., stated in an op-ed for “BKL Perspectives” on the 1st, “If the U.S. provides the technical blueprint, South Korea is the overwhelming manufacturing foundry capable of bringing that design to life.”

Former Chairman Burn assessed that while SMRs have emerged as an essential alternative to address the surge in electricity demand in the era of carbon neutrality and artificial intelligence (AI), the U.S. is hindered by “structural barriers” such as waste regulations, site conflicts, and a lack of manufacturing capacity and skilled labor. Experts estimate that achieving 200 GW (gigawatts) of new nuclear power capacity by 2050 will require more than 370,000 additional skilled workers.
◇DOOSAN, HyundaiEngineering&Construction, and SK Form Successive Partnerships with U.S. Nuclear Power Companies
Former Chairman Byeon pointed out that the key to filling this supply chain gap lies in Korea. Last August, during President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to the U.S., X-Energy, Amazon, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and DOOSAN ENERBILITY signed a strategic agreement to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in the U.S. The agreement calls for deploying more than 5 GW of new nuclear power capacity by 2039 and investing up to $50 billion (approximately 77.8 trillion won) to achieve this goal.
As South Gyeongsang Province establishes itself as a “global SMR manufacturing hub,” cooperation at the individual corporate level is also continuing. DOOSAN ENERBILITY(034020)has partnered with NuScale to manufacture SMR reactor and steam generator modules at its Changwon plant, while HyundaiEngineering&Construction(000720)has signed an agreement with Holtec International for the construction and supply of plants for the global SMR-160 project. SK(034730) SK Innovation(096770) has agreed to collaborate with TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, to commercialize the Natrium SMR reactor and integrated energy systems. DOOSAN ENERBILITY and HyundaiEngineering&Construction are also participating in the construction of four AP1000 reactors in Texas for Fermi America, a U.S. company, in the large-scale reactor sector.
In particular, regarding X Energy’s large-scale investment last December to secure production capacity at DOOSAN ENERBILITY’s Changwon plant, former Chairman Byeon assessed that “this is highly likely to become a decisive milestone.” He explained that the Changwon plant is emerging as a forward base for producing core components for the 11 GW-class SMR pipeline slated for installation in the United States. Drawing a parallel to how TSMC and SamsungElectronics(005930)have established themselves as global foundries in the semiconductor industry, he noted that South Korean nuclear manufacturers also aspire to become key foundries in the SMR market.

◇Aftermath of New York State Nuclear Plant Closures Becomes Political Momentum
Former Chairman Byeon cited the case of New York State as evidence supporting the sustainability of the U.S. nuclear renaissance. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo referred to the Indian Point nuclear power plant as a “ticking time bomb” in 2017 and pushed through its closure in 2021. This decision ran counter to the federal regulatory agency (NRC)’s efforts at the time to renew the plant’s operating license through 2035.
As a result, New York State suffered a net loss of 2,041 MW (megawatts) in generating capacity. Since renewable energy failed to fill the gap, the state’s reliance on highly volatile natural gas increased. In 2025, New York’s average wholesale electricity price skyrocketed by 128.3% compared to 2019. This increase far exceeded the 25% rise in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the same period. Current New York Governor Kathy Hochul acknowledged the policy failure, stating, “We lost 25% of New York City’s electricity without a Plan B,” and announced plans to push for the construction of large-scale nuclear power plants.
Former Chairman Beon pointed out that 24 states and Washington, D.C., have now adopted their own carbon reduction or carbon-free power goals, and that global competition is intensifying, with China already bringing its second SMR into commercial operation this year. He stated, “The U.S. nuclear renaissance will only be fully realized when South Korea’s industrial capabilities are combined with America’s innovative technology,” adding that the two countries are establishing themselves as partners in energy security and a new economic order through next-generation nuclear power.