US, South Korea, Japan Agree on Overseas SMR Deployment

Foreign ministers from the United States, South Korea, and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on deploying small modular reactors in third-country locations [1, 2].

The agreement marks a strategic shift toward coordinating next-generation nuclear energy to bolster economic resilience and global security [1, 2]. By aligning their technical and political resources, the three nations aim to accelerate the overseas rollout of small modular reactor (SMR) technology [1, 2].

The signing occurred on July 8, 2026, on the sidelines of the NATO summit held in Washington, D.C. ^[1]. The meeting brought together the foreign ministers of the three allied nations to synchronize their approach to energy infrastructure and security ^[1].

SMRs are smaller, more flexible versions of traditional nuclear power plants. The cooperation framework focuses on streamlining the deployment of these reactors in countries outside the three signatories, often referred to as third-country locations [1, 2]. This initiative is designed to provide a coordinated alternative to other global energy providers — ensuring that security and economic standards are maintained during the rollout [1, 2].

Officials said the partnership is part of a broader effort to ensure stability in energy markets. The memorandum focuses on the intersection of economic resilience and the transition to cleaner energy sources [1, 2].

While the specific countries targeted for these deployments were not named in the agreement, the focus remains on expanding the footprint of allied nuclear technology globally ^[1]. The three nations will continue to coordinate on the regulatory and financial frameworks necessary to make these projects viable in diverse international markets [1, 2].