The National Promotion Strategy for the Development of the Generation IV Reactor Systems in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

The Republic of Korea Atomic Energy Commission declared “the long-term plan [LTP] for the development of the next generation nuclear energy systems in [the] Republic of Korea” on December 22, 2008 (MEST, 2008). For implementation of this LTP, “the Instruction on promotion and management of [the] next generation nuclear energy system [research and development] (INSTRUCTION 126)” of the Ministry of Education and Science Technology (MEST), was legislated on June 2, 2009. It is important that the development of the next generation nuclear system is stipulated in the law. According to INSTRUCTION 126, research and development of the next generation nuclear energy system will be implemented with thorough technical and financial review and support. The MEST INSTRUCTION 126 supports international Generation IV International Forum (GIF) activity and promotion of national Generation IV (Gen-IV) research and development. A promotion system of the Republic of Korea composed of a Main Commission, Technology Commission, three Technology sub-commissions (sodium-cooled fast reactor, very high temperature reactor, and advanced fuel cycle) and a GIF secretariat office. These commissions and offices will periodically check the relevance of the achievements of Gen-IV research and development. Also, this promotion framework will make annual plans of research and development and GIF activity. Through this strategy of the development of the Gen-IV reactor system, it will help to improve the effectiveness, feasibility, nuclear transparency in the development of the next generation nuclear system.