Setting Mid-to-Long-Term Nuclear Power Policy Directions Until 2050... Including Plans for Nuclear Plant Construction and Export

'2050 Mid-to-Long-Term Nuclear Power Roadmap Establishment TF' Kickoff Meeting

The government has officially begun the process of establishing a mid- to long-term nuclear power policy. It is expected to include plans for nuclear power plant construction and export competitiveness enhancement through 2050.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the first meeting of the "2050 Mid- to Long-term Nuclear Power Roadmap Task Force (TF)" chaired by Vice Minister Choi Nam-ho at the Korea Nuclear Industry Association located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

At the meeting, 16 experts from academia, industry, and research institutes in the nuclear sector, who are members of the TF, discussed the key content and composition plans for the upcoming "2050 Mid- to Long-term Nuclear Power Roadmap."

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First, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy decided to include in the roadmap a mid- to long-term nuclear power policy direction aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and ensuring the sustainability of nuclear power policies. This direction will include basic policies for mid- to long-term nuclear power plant construction and operation, policies promoting continued operation, and measures to strengthen the supply chain for equipment and nuclear fuel.

Plans to qualitatively advance the nuclear power industry will also be established. These advancement plans will include strengthening the investment foundation for the domestic nuclear power industry to become a leading nuclear power nation, the direction of research and development (R&D) toward 2050, and the establishment of a system for nurturing specialized human resources in the nuclear power industry.

Additionally, to enhance nuclear power export competitiveness, a 2050 nuclear power export target will be set, and strategies will be developed to diversify exports in equipment, fuel, operation, and maintenance, as well as to strengthen the independent export capabilities of small and medium-sized nuclear power companies.

Alongside this, a strategy to become a leading country in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) early commercialization and global cluster establishment will be prepared. The strategy will propose commercialization plans involving the private sector and the establishment of a global foundry base.

Vice Minister Choi stated, "Through the establishment of this roadmap, a predictable mid- to long-term nuclear power policy will be prepared, and to secure even stronger sustainability, we plan to promote the enactment of a 'Special Act on Support for the Nuclear Power Industry,' which will include the basis for the roadmap. We will focus our policy capabilities to speed up the roadmap establishment and legislative proposal so that it can be completed within this year."

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