Status and prospects on radioisotope production in Korea

In Korea, radioisotopes has been produced using small-sized research reactors (TRIGA Mark II, III) from 1961 to 1995. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) completed the High-flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor (HANARO) in 1995 and a radioisotope production facilities (RIPF) in 1997. Medical and industrial radionuclides such as 131I, 99mTc, 166Ho, 192Ir and 60Co, are routinely produced utilizing HANARO. Several hundreds kilo curies of these nuclides were supplied to domestic users in 2001. The Korea Cancer Center Hospital (KCCH) first installed a cyclotron (MC-50) for neutron therapy and RI production in 1984. At present, the cyclotron routinely produced radionuclides such as 201TI, 67Ga, 123I and 18F. Also, it is capable of producing several radionuclides, including 111In, 51Cr, 124I, 54Mn, 22Na, etc. Baby cyclotrons were installed in Seoul National University Hospital, Sam sung Medical Center and Asan Medical Center. The main purpose of the introduction of baby cyclotrons was to produce short-lived positron emitters such as 18F, 15O and 11C for PET. Radioisotope production facilities were imported and installed as subsidiaries of cyclotron. In Korea, more than 60 kinds of radioisotopes are currently used in the field of their applications and most of them are imported form foreign vendors. For the quality assurance of final products such as radiopharmaceuticals and industrial sources, facilities for production should be installed and maintained in accordance with regulation rules and also the production system should be operated under quality management system. Since 1992 the Korean government has been encouraging Mid and Long Term Nuclear R and D Programs to enhance capability in nuclear technology development. In order to actively promote the utilization, research and development of technology applying radiation and RI, the Korean government established 'a comprehensive promotion plan for utilization, research and development of radiation and radioisotopes' in 1995. This plan also has goals of contributing to the improvement of the national economy as well as upgrading to the public quality of life. For the stable supply of radioisotopes, KAERI is carrying out a feasibility study on a new research reactor fully intended for the mass production and backup supply. Additionally, KCCH is installing a new medium-sized cyclotron with high beam current for the stable and reliable supply of neutron deficient radioisotopes. Recently increasing the demand of positron emitters for PET, it is expected that the number of cyclotron installations will gradually increase