Korea signs uranium and nuclear pacts with Kazakhstan in Seoul

South Korea and Kazakhstan signed 13 bilateral agreements on Sept. 15, 2026, establishing a comprehensive energy and critical minerals partnership covering uranium procurement, nuclear power engineering and rare metals processing.

The accords elevate bilateral ties to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership, upgrading a relationship established 17 years ago. The initiative aims to diversify resource supply chains across Central Asia away from concentrated regional suppliers.

Kazakhstan accounted for 38.6% of global uranium production in 2024, ranking first worldwide ahead of Canada's 23.7% share. The supply guarantees directly support South Korea's operating fleet of 26 commercial nuclear reactors.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency. The document formally incorporates provisions to enhance the stability and resilience of uranium supply chains.

Under the pact, both governments will coordinate radioactive waste disposal and spent fuel storage. Joint scientific projects will also examine commercial fuel fabrication, the climate ministry said.

A separate nuclear accord signed by the industry ministry establishes bilateral frameworks for small modular reactors (SMR) — compact nuclear units built in factories. The agreement facilitates regulatory exchanges and nuclear construction bids.

South Korean reactor builder Doosan Enerbility and state utility Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) are tracking equipment packages. Both companies seek supply contracts for turbine islands and secondary systems.

The agreements position domestic builders for engineering and equipment orders in Central Asian utility projects. Bilateral teams will exchange technical specifications on safety standards, the industry ministry said.

Beyond atomic fuel, the governments agreed to open a Rare Metals Technology Cooperation Center in Almaty. The facility will combine South Korean smelting and separation systems with Kazakh mineral deposits.

The center focuses on refining rare metals and battery-grade lithium. South Korean battery cell producers remain heavily dependent on external processing channels for cathode raw materials.

The mineral accord also builds on an earlier framework arrangement covering 18 million barrels of crude oil. Both countries confirmed the oil allocation to guard against global supply disruptions, the presidential office said.

Additional compacts cover clean hydrogen supply chains and renewable energy grids. The two nations will study joint battery energy storage systems (BESS) to reinforce regional transmission infrastructure.

Kazakhstan plans to expand nuclear energy to generate roughly 5% of its domestic electricity by 2035. The Central Asian state recently approved its initial reactor development plans following a national referendum.

Securing direct uranium access reduces price volatility for domestic utilities. Global uranium prices climbed over the past two years as utility demand for zero-carbon baseload power expanded rapidly.

The supply channel provides long-term fuel visibility for South Korea's reactor export business. Turnkey reactor contracts increasingly require vendors to assist in securing enriched fuel assemblies.

The official documents do not state the financial value or consortium equity share for South Korean firms in Kazakhstan's planned nuclear power plants. The paperwork also leaves specific production volumes for lithium exploration concessions undisclosed.

Bilateral negotiations will continue during the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit on Sept. 16, 2026, in Seoul. President Tokayev invited South Korean officials for a reciprocal state visit to Astana next year.