Amid the global wave of energy transition towards carbon neutrality, nuclear power is gaining renewed attention. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has analyzed that nuclear capacity must be tripled by 2050 to achieve carbon neutrality, and major countries are announcing policies to return to nuclear power. In this era of a global nuclear renaissance, there is a company that has secured a special position in the highly specialized field of nuclear power plant construction and operation, which requires advanced technology and strict quality systems.

That company is DK KOCEN. Since its spin-off from KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company in 1998 as part of a public enterprise spin-off policy, DK KOCEN's growth journey over 27 years in the domestic and international nuclear power market parallels Korea's rise as a nuclear power stronghold.

Success Story of Public Enterprise Spin-off, Comprehensive Nuclear Engineering Company


DK KOCEN's journey began with its spin-off from KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company in 1998. Despite significant social concerns about the privatization and spin-off of public enterprises at the time, DK KOCEN transformed into a more specialized and efficient organization after the spin-off, becoming a representative success story of the public enterprise spin-off policy.

In 2010, it was integrated into the German TÜV SÜD Group, a global TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) company with a 159-year history, embodying global standards. In 2018, it returned to being a domestic company with a change in shareholders to Daekyung Engineering, declaring a second leap forward. Daekyung Engineering, the shareholder company, is a rare small but strong company capable of handling the entire process from nuclear power plant design to manufacturing, installation, construction, and commissioning, and this synergy has played a significant role in strengthening DK KOCEN's competitiveness.

DK KOCEN has secured differentiated technological capabilities in four areas of nuclear power plant construction: △quality inspection △concrete testing △comprehensive design engineering △data management. In particular, it has been recognized as a 'KOLAS accredited testing and inspection agency,' acknowledging its high-quality system internationally. In 2022, it achieved the milestone of being the first SME to acquire the comprehensive design Q-grade qualification for operating nuclear power plants from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. In the same year, it expanded its infrastructure by constructing a new 900-pyeong (approximately 3,000㎡) export-oriented new research reactor concrete testing laboratory and self-factory in the Southeast Industrial Complex in Gijang-gun, Busan.

Currently, DK KOCEN considers its core assets to be 180 nuclear power specialists with over 300 technical certifications, actively conducting business from its headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and at nuclear power plant construction sites in Gijang, Gori, Changwon, Gyeongju, Uljin, Dongtan, UAE, and Egypt.

Dominating Domestic and International Nuclear Power Markets, Outstanding Achievements in Four Core Businesses

DK KOCEN's greatest strength is its extensive track record accumulated in all domestic nuclear power plants and major overseas nuclear power projects. It has notably contributed to the UAE Barakah nuclear power export, imprinting the excellence of Korean nuclear technology on the world.

In the 'Equipment Quality Inspection' sector, DK KOCEN is recognized as a KOLAS nationally accredited inspection agency, conducting inspections in various sectors, including all domestic nuclear power plants, the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant, Gyeongju ARA Research Reactor, spent nuclear fuel transport containers, and thermal power plants, holding the highest domestic performance record. Recently, it acquired the qualification for evaluating the protective coating condition of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's nuclear power plants and is actively performing services. Additionally, it has solidified its status as a leading global quality inspection company through local company inspections for auxiliary equipment at Saudi and UAE nuclear power plants.


DK KOCEN's 'Concrete Testing' sector is also recognized as a KOLAS internationally accredited testing agency. It is responsible for quality management of safety-grade concrete, a crucial element in nuclear power plant construction. It maintains its position as the No. 1 supplier in the design and durability testing of concrete for all domestic nuclear power plants, the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant, export-oriented new research reactors, and radioactive waste disposal facilities (RWDF). In 2015, it received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award for its RWDF concrete testing services.

In the 'Design Engineering' sector, as a qualified company with Q-grade comprehensive design for operating nuclear power plants from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, it performs comprehensive design for operating nuclear power plant facility improvements and detailed design for domestic construction nuclear power plants and the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant. Recently, it won a comprehensive design service contract for the Global Nuclear Joint Campus, working on the design of next-generation critical facilities and educational research buildings for global talent development. It is also actively engaged in future-oriented research projects such as nuclear dismantling hot cell research and damage diagnosis of reactor protection systems and digital I&C (Instrumentation and Control) systems using big data and artificial intelligence (AI).

In the 'Data Management' sector, it has established an advanced system for systematically managing all data related to nuclear power plant construction and operation. Based on its extensive experience accumulated from domestic nuclear power plants, the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant, the Egypt El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thermal power plants, and Incheon International Airport construction, it perfectly executes the entire data management process, significantly contributing to shortening business processes and reducing construction costs.

Sustainable Growth through Innovative Organizational Culture and ESG Management

DK KOCEN's growth drivers are not only its technological capabilities but also continuous management innovation and an advanced organizational culture. Since its founding, it has maintained a corporate culture of coexistence without a single labor dispute and has established a high-level welfare system for an SME, enhancing employee satisfaction.

It actively supports employees' self-development through license incentives and operates various programs to improve the quality of life for employees and their families, including filial piety vacation allowances, support for club activities, operation of recreational facilities, premium health check-ups for families, smoking cessation incentives, and language education support. Particularly, during the 25th-anniversary celebration, it rented the Uljin Deokgu Hotel to commend the efforts of all employees, practicing an employee-centered management philosophy.

It is also proactive in practicing ESG management. Chairman Lim Young-ha contributes to the cultural development of nuclear power regions by supporting the 'Uljin Webtoon Film Festival' and the 'Gyeongbuk International AI & Metaverse Film Festival.' Additionally, he contributes to educational development by donating KRW 100 million to his alma mater, KEPCO Meister High School (Sudo Electric High School), for nurturing future talent in the power sector, alongside sharing activities to help underprivileged communities. These ESG management practices demonstrate that DK KOCEN is growing into a company that fulfills its social responsibilities beyond merely pursuing profits.

Future Strategy for Becoming a Global Nuclear Power Stronghold

DK KOCEN is systematically pursuing long-term strategies to strengthen its competitiveness in the global nuclear power market. It plans to unify the company name as 'DK KOCEN' to create synergy with DK Group [Daekyung Engineering (DK ENGINEERING), DK E&C].

Additionally, it is steadily preparing for an IPO to enhance corporate value based on its solid track record and technological capabilities. The plan is to expand the capital procurement base through listing and enhance brand value to further strengthen competitiveness in the global market.

It is also accelerating its overseas market entry. Following the contract for data management services for the Egypt El Dabaa nuclear power plant in 2023, it signed an MOU with the Czech state-owned SZU Group last year, preparing to participate in Czech nuclear power services without a hitch. Recently, being selected as a 'Promising Nuclear Export Company' by the Korea Nuclear Export Industry Association is a testament to DK KOCEN's recognized global capabilities.

Particularly, since 2023, it has secured contracts for core services such as concrete testing, data management, construction quality inspection, and construction technical support for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, once again proving DK KOCEN's technological prowess with the highest number of service contracts in this field domestically.

Having played a steadfast role in expanding nuclear power, a carbon-free energy source, since its founding, DK KOCEN is growing into a global leader in the nuclear power industry, both domestically and internationally, as a comprehensive nuclear engineering company based on its strict nuclear quality system maintained over decades and accumulated technological expertise.

As DK KOCEN celebrates its 27th anniversary this year, its journey towards becoming a centennial company is anticipated alongside the future of Korea's nuclear power industry.


Chairman Lim Young-ha of DK KOCEN (pictured) cited safety awareness and field experience as success factors in the nuclear power industry and declared the company's leap towards becoming a comprehensive nuclear solution company.

Chairman Lim emphasized, “The nuclear power industry is not a field that can succeed with mere technical skills,” adding, “Long-term field experience, reliability, and above all, a thorough awareness of safety are the core competitive factors.”

DK KOCEN's differentiated competitiveness lies in its ability to provide integrated solutions. Chairman Lim explained, “While each of the four core business sectors possesses industry-leading expertise, the real strength is the organic linkage between these sectors,” adding, “We can provide optimized services by linking quality inspection, concrete testing, comprehensive design engineering, and data management within a single organization.”

Regarding the background of maintaining a non-dispute corporate culture for 27 years, he stated, “In a technology-intensive industry, people are the most important asset,” adding, “We have continuously invested in the growth and welfare of our employees, considering them as partners.”

Chairman Lim expressed optimism about the global nuclear power market outlook. “While there is a global boom in nuclear power plant construction, the real competitiveness of Korean nuclear power lies in quality management and efficiency during the construction process,” he said, confidently asserting that the accumulated know-how will be a significant strength.

For future growth drivers, he proposed digital innovation. Chairman Lim stated, “We are actively promoting work innovation through digital transformation and the introduction of AI technology,” adding, “The nuclear dismantling sector is also being noted as a new growth driver.”

Regarding corporate philosophy, he emphasized, “A company that only pursues profit is not sustainable,” adding, “Growing together with the community and contributing to education for the next generation is the true role of a company.”

Chairman Lim expressed his ambition by stating, “As a company that has grown alongside Korea's nuclear power industry, DK KOCEN will continue to be a reliable partner of Nuclear Power Korea,” adding, “We want to firmly lay the foundation for becoming a centennial company and create a greater opportunity base for the next generation.”

DK KOCEN's path, with its accumulated field experience, non-dispute organizational culture, and forward-looking innovation will, is drawing attention. As the global nuclear power market rapidly grows, anticipation is building for the next chapter DK KOCEN will write as a hidden champion in Korea's nuclear power industry.

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