Oh Young-guk, Director of the Nuclear Fusion Research Institute, "R&D Will Be Central in the Era of Nuclear Fusion Commercialization"

Oh Young-guk, the newly appointed director of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, emphasized the shift to an R&D-centered role in the era of fusion commercialization at the inauguration ceremony on the 22nd.

Oh Young-guk, the 2nd Director of KFE, delivering an inaugural address

In his inaugural speech, Director Oh stated, "Overseas, the acceleration of fusion commercialization and the expansion of private companies' participation in fusion are rapidly increasing," adding, "We will establish comprehensive plans and make various efforts to accelerate Korea's fusion demonstration reactor."

He also presented a vision, saying, "We will shift research from the existing KSTAR and ITER-centered studies to fusion reactor R&D, complete the basic physical design for the Korean fusion reactor early, and promote the construction plan of the fusion demonstration reactor in parallel with ITER construction."

Director Oh plans to pursue verification of core technologies using KSTAR and other fusion devices to achieve technological innovation in the demonstration reactor design, promote public-private partnerships with private startup companies, and strengthen international cooperation.

Oh Young-guk earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Seoul National University in 1999. He joined the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy in 2005 and has served as head of the Fusion Engineering Research Division and deputy director. From 2018 to August 2023, he worked as the head of device operations at the ITER international organization, establishing himself as a fusion expert.

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