Gyeongju Ramps Up Regional Cooperation to Attract First SMR Unit

MOU Signed with North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang City, and Regional Universities
Joint Administrative and Academic Response

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Accelerating the Creation of an East Coast Energy Hub

Gyeongju City is taking full-fledged steps to attract the first i-SMR unit in collaboration with North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang City, and regional universities.

On April 23, Gyeongju City announced that it would sign a business agreement at the City Hall’s External Cooperation Office with North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang City, and four regional universities to attract the initial site for the Gyeongju i-SMR unit.

Panoramic View of Gyeongju City Hall

The participating universities are POSTECH, Handong Global University, Dongguk University WISE Campus, and Uiduk University.

The signing ceremony, scheduled for 2:00 p.m., will be attended by Choi Hyukjun, Acting Mayor of Gyeongju; Yang Geumhee, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of North Gyeongsang Province; and Jeong Gyudeok, Head of the Hydrogen Energy Industry Division at Pohang City.

From the universities, the attendees will include Kim Jongkyu, Vice President of POSTECH; Song Inho, Vice President of Handong Global University; Park Seongbeom, Director of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Group at Dongguk University WISE Campus; and Jang Deokhee, Vice President of Uiduk University.

This agreement is part of a mutual cooperation effort to respond to the SMR construction site competition and establish a carbon-neutral energy hub.

The agreement covers: ▲ attracting the site for the initial Gyeongju SMR unit; ▲ supplying electricity for the transition to hydrogen-based steelmaking; ▲ hydrogen production and workforce training based on SMR; and ▲ designating the area as a specialized zone for distributed energy.

In particular, North Gyeongsang Province, Gyeongju City, and Pohang City have identified attracting the SMR as a core initiative and have agreed to pursue broad-based cooperation.

Regional universities are also participating as key partners, fostering SMR professionals and supplying talent to related industrial complexes.

North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeongju City have been committed to establishing a full-cycle SMR foundation, from research and development to commercialization, centered in East Gyeongju.

In addition, they have formed a task force to respond to the SMR construction site competition, and are carrying out promotional activities through advisory meetings, National Assembly forums, and public briefings for citizens.

Choi Hyukjun, Acting Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, "This agreement is significant in that it establishes a practical foundation for cooperation to attract the first SMR unit. Local governments, universities, and related organizations will work closely together to ensure success in this endeavor and transform the region into a hub for next-generation energy industries."

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