Nuclear power in the Republic of Korea: Research and development

The Republic of Korea has been a Member State of the IAEA since 1957. Until the late 1960s, nuclear R and D efforts were mainly focused on radioisotope utilization, radiation applications in the fields of agriculture and medicine, and basic research using a research reactor. In the 1970s, two oil shocks influenced the adoption of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Korea. As a result, nine NPP contracts were made during this decade, and needs for nuclear power technology development increased. In the early part of the 1980s, however, the Korean economy shrank somewhat due to the aftermath of the second oil shock. During this difficult period, we attempted to heal and reorganize the industrial infrastructure so as to maximize the participation of local capabilities in every possible way and in order to stabilize the national economy. In this connection, the roles and functions of nuclear organizations were identified for the development of nuclear power technology. The purpose of a functional division of responsibilities among nuclear organizations is to eliminate duplication of investment and to concentrate manpower in designated fields. However, even though they are specialized, they frequently have meetings, co-ordinating and co-operating to reach the final goal of achieving self-reliance in nuclear power technology as soon as possible. At the beginning of the 1980s the Korea Advanced Energy Research Institute (KAERI) was launched to develop CANDU fuel design and manufacturing technology. After three years of efforts, KAERI was successful in loading its fuel bundles into the KNU-3 - a CANDU-type reactor - 24 bundles in 1984 and a further 24 in 1985. The core will be fully loaded with KAERI fuel bundles from 1988 onwards. As regards KNU-11 and -12, in 1985 full scope transfer of technology for reactor design, construction and equipment supply was requested. Given such transfer, we can improve indigenous capabilities, including the design of nuclear steam supply systems. By the year of 2000, we are aiming to achieve self-reliance in nuclear power technologies. (author)