Government Launches Full-Scale Development of Next-Generation Small Modular Reactors

Launch Ceremony of the Project Group on the 10th
"Targeting Standard Design Certification by 2028"

The government has begun full-scale development of the 'Innovative Small Modular Reactor (SMR)' technology, which is gaining attention as the next-generation nuclear power technology.

File photo. Not related to the article. Yoon Seok-yeol, then the People Power Party presidential candidate, is listening to an explanation about the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) during his visit to the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute in Daejeon Daedeok Research Complex on the afternoon of November 29, 2021. 2021.11.29
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On the morning of the 10th, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the launch ceremony of the Innovative SMR Technology Development Project Group at a hotel in Daejeon.

This project is a joint effort by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to invest a total of 399.2 billion KRW over six years starting this year to develop the next-generation Korean SMR. The Ministry of Science and ICT will contribute 151 billion KRW, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy 123.7 billion KRW, and the private sector 124.5 billion KRW. The innovative SMR is planned to be developed with world-class safety, economic efficiency, and flexibility, aiming to enter the global SMR market, which is expected to grow significantly in the 2030s.

Korea has already secured core technology through the development of the Korean Small Modular Reactor (SMART). On top of this, innovative technologies such as a new concept of modular design, fully passive safety systems, boron-free operation, and integrated control rod drive mechanisms will be applied. The basic design is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Subsequently, standard design and verification, as well as licensing reviews, will be conducted with the goal of obtaining standard design approval by 2028.

The project group was established as a dedicated organization overseeing this effort and was founded as a non-profit corporation in February this year. Fourteen private companies are participating in this research and development project this year. From next year, more than 20 companies ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations will participate directly or indirectly in various fields such as design, instrumentation, operation/maintenance, and manufacturing. It is expected that even more companies will actively participate during the commercialization process.

At the event, presentations on technology development strategies by related organizations and a joint public-private cooperation declaration for innovative SMR technology development were held.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT said in his congratulatory remarks, “Cooperation with the private sector is crucial for the timely development and securing competitiveness of the innovative SMR,” adding, “Based on today’s public-private joint cooperation declaration, the project group will take the lead in working closely together.” He also stated, “We will spare no support for research and development and the establishment of a public-private SMR consultative body to ensure the success of the innovative SMR.”

Additionally, Project Group Director Kim Han-gon pledged, “We will definitely obtain standard design approval by 2028 and lay the foundation to lead the overseas export market in the 2030s.”

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