Korea and the Philippines agreed to expand cooperation on nuclear power projects and critical mineral supply chains, President Lee Jae Myung announced Tuesday, following a summit during his two-day state visit to Manila. Speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacanang Palace, Lee said the two countries decided to strengthen practical cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. “We agreed to enhance substantive cooperation in the field of nuclear power,” Lee said. “Based on the results of the feasibility study on resuming the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation for the introduction of new nuclear power projects, our two countries will position themselves as optimal partners in nuclear energy cooperation.” Construction of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant began in 1976 but was suspended in the mid-1980s. In 2022, the Philippine government decided to revive the long-dormant project to address chronic electricity shortages with the goal of beginning operations by 2032. In 2024, un