* All times in local KST time.

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. Opening Remarks

Frederick Kempe, President & CEO, Atlantic Council (pre-recorded remarks)

9:05 – 9:30 a.m. Welcome Address

Jooho Whang, President & CEO, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)

Hohyeon Lee, Deputy Minister for Energy Policy, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Republic of Korea

Jenifer Wolin, US Department of Energy Office Director and Energy Attaché, US Embassy Seoul

9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote Speeches

The Hon. Daniel Poneman, Distinguished Fellow, Global Energy Center and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council; Former Deputy Secretary, US Department of Energy

Hangyu Joo, President, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)

John Kotek, Senior Vice President of Policy Development and Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.  Break

10:30 – 12:00 p.m. Session One: US-ROK nuclear energy cooperation

Marking a decade since the renewal of the US-ROK nuclear cooperation agreement—and at the midpoint to the next Section 123 agreement—this session will reflect on the history of bilateral cooperation and the key outcomes of the 2015 renewal. It will also assess the continued relevance of US-ROK civil nuclear cooperation amid evolving global dynamics and explore how the partnership should adapt to address emerging challenges.

Speakers:

H.E. Ro-byug Park, Visiting Professor, Kyungnam University; Former Special Representative for the US-ROK Civilian Nuclear Cooperation 

The Hon. Daniel Poneman, Distinguished Fellow, Global Energy Center and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council; Former Deputy Secretary, US Department of Energy 

Chaeyoung Lim, Senior Vice President, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)

Lisa Marshall, Immediate Past President, American Nuclear Society (ANS)

Bumjin Chung, Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyung Hee University

Moderated by: The Hon. Joyce Connery, Principal Owner, Connery Strategies; Former Chair, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Session Two: US-ROK nuclear industry cooperation: exports, construction, and supply chain

Both countries have experienced periods of growth and setback in their nuclear industries. Today, they are seeking to revitalize their sectors and expand global engagement. This session will examine each country’s industrial status—including exports, SMRs, construction, and supply chains—and identify concrete pathways for enhanced cooperation and joint growth.

Speakers:

Seungyeol Lim, Senior Vice President, Overseas Business Development, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)

Jack Edlow, President, Edlow International Company

Sehun Kim, Director, SMR Business Development, Doosan Enerbility

John Kotek, Senior Vice President of Policy Development and Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

Scott Campbell, President, Howard Baker Forum

Florence Lowe-Lee, President and Founder, The Global America Business Institute (GABI)

Moderated by: Yongsoo Hwang, Professor for Special Affairs, KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS)

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Session Three: Nuclear fuel cycle cooperation: enrichment, reprocessing, and R&D

The landscape surrounding the nuclear fuel cycle—including reliable fuel supply, the R&D environment, and advancements in technologies such as enrichment and reprocessing—has shifted significantly since the Section 123 agreement’s signing and renewal. This session will explore how US-ROK cooperation should evolve to ensure a secure and stable fuel supply, and to achieve continued technical innovation.

Speakers:

Paul Dickman, President, World Council on Isotopes

Sungtae Yang, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Fuel Office, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)

Sean Oehlbert, Vice President, Corporate Business Strategy, Centrus Energy Corp.

Youho Lee, Associate Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Seoul National University

Sam Levenback, Vice President, Corporate Development, X-energy

Moderated by: Sungyeol Choi, Associate Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Seoul National University

* All times in local KST time.

 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Session Four: Nuclear diplomacy, security, and nonproliferation

This session will examine the geopolitical challenges facing the US and the Republic of Korea, alongside key regional and global issues related to nonproliferation and nuclear security. Panelists will discuss how the two countries can advance their political, diplomatic, and security interests through civil nuclear cooperation, and how their partnership can contribute to the peaceful use of atomic energy across the globe.

Speakers:

Bonggeun Jun, Professor Emeritus, Korea National Diplomatic Academy

Nicholas McMurray, Managing Director, International and Nuclear Policy, ClearPath

Youngjun Kim, Professor and Dean of Academic Affairs, National Security College, Korea National Defense University

Ross Matzkin-Bridger, Senior Director, Nuclear Materials Security, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)

Jane Nakano, Senior Fellow, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Moderated by: Paul Saunders, President, Center for the National Interest (CFTNI)

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 – 12:30 p.m. Session Five: The future of nuclear energy exports

This session will focus on countries that have recently adopted—or are considering adopting—Korean nuclear reactors as part of their national energy programs. Panelists will discuss the significance of that decision, the long-term benefits of nuclear adoption, and the unique strengths of Korea’s reactor technology. The session will also explore how the US and Korea can align their strategies as exporters and collaborate on tailored approaches that meet the specific needs of partner countries.

Speakers:

Kamil Števanka, Head of Unit of Development of New Nuclear Units, Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade

Ezé Van Tonder, Masters Student, KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS); Radiation Protection Engineer, Eskom

Joy Lauren Corpuz, Masters Student, KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS); former Science Research Specialist, Philippines Department of Energy

Matt Bowen, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, University of Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

Chaseop Kim, General Manager, Overseas NPP Project Section I, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)

Moderated by: Kayla Orta, Nonresident Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Closing Session: The future of US-ROK civil nuclear cooperation

Moderators from each session will present key takeaways from the two-day program. Together, they will offer an integrated outlook on the future of US-ROK nuclear energy cooperation.

Speakers:

The Hon. Joyce Connery, Principal Owner, Connery Strategies; Former Chair, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board  

Yongsoo Hwang, Professor for Special Affairs, KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS)   

Sungyeol Choi, Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Seoul National University   

Paul Saunders, President, Center for the National Interest (CFTNI)  

Kayla Orta, Nonresident Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security  

Moderated by: Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center

3:00 – 3:10 p.m. Closing Remarks

Jooho Whang, President & CEO, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)   

Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center