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Seoul hints at possible failure of bid for Turkey's nuclear reactor project

South Korea may have failed to grab Turkey's nuclear power plant project, which could instead go to China or Japan, a government official said Friday.

The official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the country was still waiting for an official report from Ankara, but noted the country's bid may have already proven unsuccessful.

"From what we have heard directly (from Turkey) and from remarks of Turkey's energy minister in recent interviews, it appears Turkey is now considering bids from China and Japan," the official said, asking not to be identified.

"The Turkish government has agreed to notify us as well once it signs an agreement with any specific country. We are still waiting to hear from them," the official said.

The deal, if awarded to South Korea, will mark the second overseas order for South Korean reactors following its 2009 deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Turkey had long demanded Seoul to finance the construction of its new reactors and recover the cost from selling electricity from the reactors.

Seoul has been reluctant to do so while the Chinese and Japanese bidders are said to have agreed to such terms.

"We have to make sure the project will be in our national interest and that is why we have to also consider if winning the project could actually lead to our loss," a ministry official said, also speaking on the condition of anonymity.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2013/04/05/24/0501000000AEN20130405004800320F.HTML