Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said South Korea could become a partner in the planned nuclear power project at Sinop on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, according to an interview reported by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on November 2.

The remarks point to a possible expansion of cooperation between Ankara and Seoul in the civilian nuclear energy sector. Turkey has been seeking international partners and technical expertise as it works to diversify its electricity supply and strengthen domestic energy security.

The Sinop project has long been part of Turkey’s plans to add nuclear generation capacity alongside the Akkuyu nuclear power plant being developed on the Mediterranean coast. However, the latest report does not establish that a final agreement with South Korea has been reached.

No detailed terms, investment structure, construction timetable or division of responsibilities were disclosed in the information reported by Reuters. The suggestion should therefore be treated as a potential partnership rather than a confirmed contract.

For South Korea, participation could offer an opportunity to deepen its industrial and diplomatic presence in a strategically important market. Korean companies have experience in nuclear engineering, construction and power-sector technology, although any role would depend on negotiations and regulatory requirements.

For Turkey, a new partner could help broaden the range of countries involved in its energy infrastructure and potentially support technology transfer. Nuclear projects nevertheless require long-term financing, rigorous safety oversight, transparent procurement and arrangements for radioactive waste management.

The proposal also comes as governments reassess energy security amid geopolitical tensions and volatility in global fuel markets. Nuclear power can provide steady low-carbon electricity, but its costs, construction schedules and safety obligations require careful public scrutiny.

Any next step will depend on formal discussions between the two governments and the companies concerned. Until official details are announced, the Sinop partnership remains a possibility raised by the Turkish president, not a completed agreement.

Source: Reuters, November 2, 2026.