Korea scores 1st nuclear research reactor project from US
A Korea-led consortium has signed a contract to work on a research reactor project in the United States, marking the country's first-ever export of reactor technology to the US.
According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on Thursday, the consortium comprising the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Hyundai Engineering and American engineering company MPR Associates will work with the University of Missouri on the initial design phase of a project to build a new research reactor — the Next Generation Missouri University Research Reactor.
Research reactors, unlike nuclear power reactors built to generate electricity, produce neutrons, which can be used for the study of materials at the atomic level as well as the production of radioisotopes for medicine, industry and research.
The Science Ministry highlighted that the project recognized the world-class level of Korea's nuclear reactor technologies, which have come a long way since the country obtained its first research reactor from the US in 1959.
'The secured project is another milestone that was achieved through the combination of our researchers' unmatched technological abilities and the private sector's expertise in overseas businesses,' said Joo Han-gyu, president of KAERI.
According to the University of Missouri, the $10 million initial agreement is projected to take about six months to complete and the results will be used for the preliminary design and licensing phase, which will be under a separate contract. The entire project is expected to take between eight to 10 years.
'Moving forward, the government will strengthen strategic exports of research reactors,' said Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT.
'The government will bolster the development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, which is a national strategic technology, to lead the global nuclear reactor sector and advance it into a future growth engine to bring prosperity to the Korean people.'
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