July 2024 – The Czech government selects Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder for two APR‑1000 units at the Dukovany site, establishing the core partnership for the expansion of the Czech nuclear fleet [7].

June 2025 – Czech authorities sign a CZK 407 billion engineering‑procurement‑construction (EPC) contract with KHNP and Doosan partners for the Dukovany expansion, targeting construction start in 2029 [7].

June 2025 – A South Korean consortium led by KHNP finalizes an estimated US$18 billion agreement with the Czech government to build the Dukovany nuclear power plant, cementing the bilateral energy partnership [1].

Jan 8, 2026 – Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung‑hwan tells a policy forum that the previous nuclear phase‑out “needs reevaluation” and that stable power for semiconductor factories “requires nuclear,” calling the export‑only stance “awkward” [6].

Jan 26, 2026 – Climate Minister Kim Sung‑whan announces that South Korea will build two large‑scale nuclear reactors by 2038 under the 12th electricity‑supply plan, linking the projects to carbon‑reduction goals and the nation’s 2050 neutrality target [5].

Jan 26, 2026 – The ministry says KHNP will launch a site‑selection bidding process for the new reactors by 2027, aiming for safety‑watchdog approval by 2031 and construction start in 2037‑2038 [5].

Jan 26, 2026 – Government‑commissioned surveys show an average of 80 % of respondents deem nuclear power necessary and 60 % support the new construction plan, indicating strong public backing for the shift [5].

Jan 26, 2026 – Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back meets U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, describing the alliance as at a “historic turning point” and seeking concrete cooperation on acquiring nuclear‑powered submarines within the year [3].

Jan 26, 2026 – Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon‑sik departs for Toronto to lobby for South Korea’s bid in Canada’s up‑to‑US$40.9 billion submarine project, pitting Hanwha Ocean against Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems [4].

Jan 26, 2026 – S‑Oil Corp. reports a fourth‑quarter profit of 265 billion won, reversing a loss thanks to a weaker won that improves export margins, highlighting the impact of currency swings on Korean industry [3].

Jan 27, 2026 – The KOSDAQ index closes above 1,000 points for the first time since 2022, a rally analysts attribute to recent market reforms favoring technology firms and to the government’s nuclear‑policy reversal boosting investor confidence [2].

Jan 27, 2026 – The government formally reverses its nuclear phase‑out, approving two new reactors—including one small‑modular reactor—as part of an “AI era” energy strategy to meet soaring electricity demand from AI and EV sectors [2].

Jan 27, 2026 – The National Pension Service raises its domestic equity allocation to 14.9 % for the year, aiming to strengthen local capital markets amid the broader push for domestic investment [2].

Jan 27, 2026 – Hyundai Motor Group’s chairman joins a diplomatic delegation to Canada to advance a submarine procurement agreement, underscoring South Korea’s broader defense‑export ambitions [2].

Feb 16, 2026 – South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jung‑kwan meets Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš in Prague, pledging “utmost support” for completing Dukovany, presenting a handwritten letter from President Lee Jae Myung, and agreeing to create a minister‑level consultation body to coordinate assistance for the project’s final stages [1].

Feb 18, 2026 – Czech Industry Minister Karel Havlíček and South Korean Trade Minister Jung‑Kwan Kim establish a ministerial steering committee to monitor Dukovany’s preparation and construction, ensuring adherence to schedule and budget while promoting Czech company participation [7].

2026 – The Czech nuclear fleet—four VVER‑440 units at Dukovany and two VVER‑1000 units at Temelín—already supplies roughly one‑third of national electricity, underscoring the strategic importance of expanding Dukovany’s capacity [7].

2027 (planned) – KHNP is set to begin a bidding process to select sites for the two new domestic reactors, a key step toward meeting the 2037‑2038 construction timeline outlined in the 12th power‑supply plan [5].

2029 (target) – Construction of the two APR‑1000 units at Dukovany is slated to commence, following the EPC contract signed in June 2025 and the steering committee’s oversight, marking a major expansion of Central Europe’s nuclear capacity [7].

2037‑2038 (target) – South Korea aims to complete construction of its two new large‑scale nuclear reactors, fulfilling the commitment made in early 2026 and supporting the nation’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 [5].