For Successful Construction of Export-Oriented New Research Reactor... Busan City, Gijang County, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and Ministry of Science and ICT Sign MOU

Officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, Busan City, Gijang County, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute are taking a group commemorative photo after signing a business agreement to establish an export-oriented new research reactor.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Busan City, Gijang County, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) signed a business cooperation agreement on the morning of the 31st at 11 a.m. at Gijang County Office to successfully promote the export-oriented new research reactor project.

The event was held to establish a foundation for communication and cooperation with local residents for the successful and timely establishment of the export-oriented new research reactor by 2027.

Attendees included MSIT Minister Lee Jong-ho, National Assembly member Jeong Dong-man, Busan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Lee Seong-gwon, Gijang County Governor Jeong Jong-bok, KAERI Director Park Won-seok, Chairman Kim Tae-yeon of the Jang-an-eup Development Committee, and about 30 officials from Busan City, Gijang County, and local resident representatives.

The main contents of the agreement include ▲ promoting smooth communication with local residents by related organizations for safe and efficient project promotion ▲ formation and operation of city/county resident councils for mutual cooperation ▲ partial return of isotope revenue to the local community.

Gijang County Governor Jeong Jong-bok said, “The export-oriented new research reactor project is an anchor project that will determine the success of the Southeast Radiation Medical and Science Industrial Complex in Gijang County,” adding, “We will provide unwavering administrative support in solidarity with related organizations and the local community for the successful promotion of this project.”

MSIT Minister Lee Jong-ho said, “We will actively support Gijang County to grow into a global cluster for isotope production, research, and industrialization through the successful and timely establishment of the export-oriented new research reactor and the isotope utilization research center.”

The export-oriented new research reactor is being promoted with a goal to be established by 2027 by investing 742.8 billion KRW in the project site within the Southeast Radiation Medical and Science Industrial Complex located in Jang-an-eup, Gijang County, to achieve domestic self-reliance and export of medical and industrial isotopes such as Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which have been entirely dependent on imports.

The construction of the export-oriented new research reactor is led by MSIT and KAERI, with participation from Busan City and Gijang County.

The core technologies for the lower drive control rod device, plate-type nuclear fuel performance verification, and demonstration secured during the reactor construction process are expected to greatly contribute to strengthening export competitiveness when exporting the reactor and entering the global research reactor nuclear fuel market.

The Southeast Radiation Medical and Science Industrial Complex, where the export-oriented new research reactor is located, is also advancing major national projects such as the heavy ion accelerator, radioactive isotope fusion research infrastructure construction, and power semiconductor industrial cluster development projects.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.