South Korea's state-run nuclear operator said Monday modifications to its APR 1400 nuclear reactor design gained approval in Europe, paving the way for its export bid.

The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. said the EU-APR design, which modified the APR 1400's emergency cooling system, was approved by the European Utility Requirements, a technical advisory group on nuclear power plants.

The APR-1400 is an advanced pressurized water nuclear reactor designed by the Korea Electric Power Corp., the same model as is being built for the United Arab Emirates as part of a 2012 deal. 

"The approval allows (the Korean-designed reactor) to enter the European market as well as South Africa and Egypt, which also require EUR standards," the KHNP said in a release.

The approval is a boon for the KEPCO-owned nuclear operator, which has been marketing the indigenous light water reactors in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

KEPCO has been in talks to buy a stake in the Toshiba-Engie British joint nuclear venture NuGen, which has run into major financial difficulties. A Beijing-controlled company is also in the running for the deal estimated at around $20 billion.

In eastern Europe, Seoul has been reaching out to the Czech Republic, which is interested in building its first nuclear power plant in the coming years. (Yonhap)