"Next-Generation SMR Development Efforts"... Nuclear Industry and National Assembly Join Hands

by Lee Dongwoo

Published 18 Apr.2022 16:18(KST)

The 3rd Innovation SMR National Assembly Forum for the development of the 'Innovative Small Modular Reactor (SMR)' promoted by the government was held on the 18th at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, involving the nuclear power industry, academia, and the National Assembly.

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The nuclear industry, academia, and the National Assembly have reaffirmed their commitment to the development progress and success strategies of the government's promoted 'Innovative Small Modular Reactor (SMR)'.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) hosted the '3rd Innovative SMR National Assembly Forum' on the 18th at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, jointly organized with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

SMRs are small-scale nuclear reactors with an integrated design including the reactor, steam generator, and coolant pump, with a capacity of 300 MW or less. They are less than 1/100th the size of large nuclear power plants, which reduces construction time and costs. Additionally, since piping facilities are unnecessary, they can prevent radioactive material leakage during natural disasters such as earthquakes, making them a next-generation nuclear power technology attracting attention.

Advanced nuclear countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia anticipate the global SMR market to fully emerge from 2030 and are competing in development. South Korea is also promoting the development of an 'Innovative SMR' with significantly enhanced economic feasibility, safety, and innovation, led by KHNP and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

The National Assembly launched the Innovative SMR National Assembly Forum in April last year to support market expansion and build public consensus.

At the third forum since its launch, KHNP Central Research Institute Director Han Gon Kim gave a presentation titled 'Innovative SMR Development Status and Licensing Issues,' followed by Professor Dongwook Jung, President of the Korean Nuclear Society, who introduced 'Enhancing the Competitiveness and Success Strategies of Innovative SMRs.'

Lee Won-wook, a co-chairman of the forum and member of the National Assembly, stated, "The development of Innovative SMRs will be an important opportunity to overcome fear of nuclear power through the power of science, and if successfully developed, it will greatly contribute to strengthening military capabilities such as submarines."

KHNP President Jaehoon Jung expressed gratitude, saying, "Interest in SMRs has exploded through the Innovative SMR National Assembly Forum launched last year," and added, "For successful development, the most important factor is the improvement of regulatory systems, so we ask for much cooperation in establishing a well-organized regulatory framework."

KHNP and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute plan to obtain licensing for the currently developing Innovative SMR by 2028 and then actively enter the nuclear power export market. The government officially formalized the development of Innovative SMRs at the 9th Nuclear Promotion Committee held in December 2020.

Subsequently, in September last year, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy jointly applied for a preliminary feasibility study, which was selected as a target project, and the main evaluation is currently underway. The final results are expected to be announced around the end of next month.

The forum was attended by co-chairmen Lee Won-wook (Democratic Party) and Kim Young-sik (People Power Party), as well as members of the National Assembly including Kim Byung-wook, Kim Byung-joo, and Lee Yong-bin (all Democratic Party), Kwon Seong-dong, Yang Geum-hee, and Choi Hyung-doo (all People Power Party), Yang Jeong-sook (Independent), and key figures from the nuclear industry, academia, research sectors, and government ministries.