South Korean law firm Yoon & Yang LLC advised Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction (DHIC) in aggregating and implementing investment of USD 60 million in NuScale Power, a nuclear power plant manufacturer in the U.S., which would expand the amount supply of SMR (Small Modular Reactor) equipment and materials up to multibillion dollars. Following its initial investment of USD 44 million in 2019 together with other Korean investors, DHIC decided to aggregate additional USD 60 million, raising the total investment amount to USD 104 million.
NuScale Power Module are expected to be applied for the first time to the nuclear power plant project carried out in Idaho by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS). While enhanced cooperative relationship between DHIC and NuScale Power culminated by this investment is expected to speed up the commercialization of SMRs, DHIC and Korean investors would expand their unitholding ratio in NuScale Power.
In collaboration with DHIC’s CFP Team, Yoon & Yang provided comprehensive legal advice to the clients on overall phases of the transaction, including review of unit purchase agreement, business collaboration agreement and other contracts, and guiding the negotiation process. On top of the traditional legal advices on the contracts and investment-related regulations under Korea and U.S. laws, Yoon & Yang proactively worked with DHIC on strategic consultation on the transaction to assist the parties in consummating the deal successfully.
The Yoon & Yang team was led by Zunu Lee (a.k.a., Joon Woo Lee), a cross-border transaction partner in its Seoul office as well as his colleague partners of Seoul office, Jae Woo Park and Youngkyun Yun.
This transaction represents the Korean company’s tireless efforts and insight to identify a significant business opportunity in the major global market and proactively expanded its investment, amidst an adverse business environment and limited opportunities of business contacts provoked by SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Zunu Lee, the lead partner at Yoon & Yang stated, “various legal issues in contracts should not be considered obstacles, but rather reminders of potential risks which need to be carefully handled and resolved with determination to minimize the risks on both sides. The deal could be successfully closed because the involved parties were thoroughly prepared and well organized.”