- Vision of realizing nuclear fusion and becoming a leader in its international commercialization
- Preparation of strategies for technological innovation backed by public-private cooperation, establishment of industrialization infrastructure, and creation of an innovation ecosystem
- Promotion of new business plans totaling KRW 1.2 trillion for nuclear fusion technology development and infrastructure building

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The Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”; Minister Lee Jong-ho) announced on July 22 (Mon) that it held the 20th Meeting of the National Committee for Nuclear Fusion* under the chairmanship of Minister Jong-ho Lee to deliberate on the Strategy for Accelerating the Realization of Nuclear Fusion Energy.

* National Committee for Nuclear Fusion: A joint public-private committee to deliberate on important matters related to nuclear fusion energy R&D based on Article 6 of the Fusion Energy Development Promotion Act (Chaired by the Minister of Science and ICT)

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The Nuclear Fusion Research Achievement Exhibition and the Public-Private Nuclear Fusion Cooperation Organization Launching Event were held after the closing of the National Committee for Nuclear Fusion. The launching event is part of the public-private cooperation, which is the core content of the strategy, and domestic nuclear fusion companies have decided to cooperate with public institutions to capture the global market, including components and equipment for nuclear fusion research facilities (e.g. TF Coil) and participation in construction projects.

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Nuclear fusion is the production of energy through the fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium, mimicking how energy is created in the sun. Nuclear fusion energy is attracting attention as a highly safe future energy that 1) does not emit carbon, 2) does not generate high-level radioactive waste, and 3) has no risk of explosion. In recent years, nuclear fusion technology has made new technological breakthroughs by combining innovative technologies such as high-temperature superconductivity and innovative nuclear fusion devices with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital replication (digital twin), and expectations for commercialization are rising.

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Currently, large-scale investments in nuclear fusion are being made by overseas tech giants to address the soaring demand for future energy induced by the increasing use of AI and digital technologies across all industries. Major countries around the world are also striving to accelerate the commercialization of nuclear fusion energy through cooperation with private companies, and have set bold targets.

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Korea has been systematically securing the technologies necessary to produce fusion energy through medium- to long-term policies. Building on the experience of constructing and operating the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) and participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, Korea has accumulated technologies for designing, manufacturing, and operating large-scale fusion reactors. Moreover, the manufacturing capabilities and digital capabilities the country has acquired through the procurement of fusion reactor devices and parts, as well as the excellent capabilities in the nuclear field that has key technologies in common with nuclear fusion, are expected to serve as the basis for leading the future of nuclear fusion energy.

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The Strategy to Accelerate Nuclear Fusion Energy Realization has set the goal of becoming a leading country in the international commercialization of nuclear fusion energy by securing the capability to take the lead in commercializing nuclear fusion energy and becoming a key pillar of energy security and sovereignty in the era of carbon neutrality.

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To realize this goal, the government has established three strategies and nine key tasks centered on the following three basic directions: a) innovation of nuclear fusion technology through public-private partnerships (technology innovation), b) establishment of a foundation for nuclear fusion energy industrialization (industrialization), and 3) creation of a nuclear fusion energy innovation ecosystem (ecosystem).

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[Strategy 1] Nuclear fusion technology innovation through public-private cooperation

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First, the government will promote the Fusion Engineering Innovation Task to lead the international nuclear fusion research and demonstration engineering market, which has great potential for future growth. The project will support the development of key technologies such as divertors and breeding blankets, which are essential for the construction phase of DEMO-class reactors, through a public-private development system that combines the private sector's excellent engineering capabilities with the public's nuclear fusion technology capabilities.

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Second, the government will support the private sector's creative technology research and introduce the public-private partnership Plug-in* Program to link private research results to miniaturized fusion reactor technologies. In this program, a private sector alliance leads the research and development, while the public sector supporting the application of the technology developed by the alliance to the fusion reactor. The government will also help with export so that key components and devices developed through the program can enter overseas markets.

* Plug-in: PLasma for Unlimited power Generation & INnovation

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Third, the government will utilize Korea's excellent digital technology to promote digital innovation in nuclear fusion. By developing and applying digital replication (digital twin) technology, virtual fusion reactors will be proactively implemented to improve the design and verification reliability of nuclear fusion reactors, and develop standard operation technology for nuclear fusion reactors by using AI. There are also plans underway to develop IoT-based technology to check the operation status of fusion reactors to remotely monitor the status of fusion reactors operating in extreme environments.

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[Strategy 2] Building the foundation for fusion energy industrialization

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First, build a foundation for nuclear fusion industrialization led and participated by the private sector. First of all, to raise the private sector’s interest in nuclear fusion technology and revitalize the technology industry ecosystem, a private-academia-research Nuclear Fusion Innovation Discussion Group will be launched (2024). The K-Fusion Startup Project will be promoted to boost the domestic market for private companies and support startups related to nuclear fusion and help them establish themselves in the market by building large-scale research infrastructure. Technology industrialization will also be promoted by designating and operating a dedicated institution to support the private diffusion and commercialization of public technologies.

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Second, the government will support domestic nuclear fusion companies to enter the global market. In the short term, the government will support overseas research equipment construction projects by utilizing the technological capabilities gained from the design and construction of the KSTAR and overseas networks built through international collaborations such as ITER. In the medium- to long-term, the government will analyze the regulations and demands of potential export destinations to establish customized strategies for each country, and establish a Comprehensive Export Information Platform for nuclear fusion to provide information on overseas technology and regulatory trends, orders, and bids to develop the market for DEMO-class reactors.

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Third, the government will promote the utilization and diffusion of nuclear fusion R&D achievements. To this end, plans are under way to diversify the industrial utilization of nuclear fusion-related technologies such as neutron and low-temperature plasma technologies in line with industrial demand and create new industries. In particular, large-scale R&D projects based on public-private partnerships will be planned and implemented to support the utilization and diffusion of nuclear fusion R&D achievements.

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[Strategy 3] Creating a Fusion Energy Innovation Ecosystem

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❶ First, the government will strengthen an open research ecosystem for nuclear fusion based on public-private partnerships. An open research cooperation system will be established to spread public research achievements and design capabilities to universities and businesses. The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) will strengthen its cooperation function to serve as a base for domestic nuclear fusion research, and will shift to a private sector-oriented R&D support system. The government will also actively open up public infrastructure to the private sector, including supporting the private sector to jointly utilize the KSTAR and expanding the participation of private companies in experiments. In addition, a Nuclear Fusion Big Data Center will be established so that universities and companies can utilize nuclear fusion data accumulated through the KSTAR and ITER. The Ministry will also identify and construct advanced research infrastructure to drive innovation and tackle challenges in nuclear fusion.

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❷ Second, the MSIT will focus on training and developing professionals to meet the rising demand in the field of nuclear fusion. As the need for talent grows with the expansion of nuclear fusion research and industry, new nuclear fusion majors and courses will be introduced and existing ones expanded at universities. Furthermore, education and training programs linked to ITER will be expanded. In addition, to attract top international researchers and facilitate their integration into Korea, the Ministry will look into enhancing labor cost mechanism and incentives for host institutions. In the mid- to long-term, a talent development plan will be established to ensure a stable supply of talent based on an analysis of future nuclear fusion talent demand and supply.

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❸ Third, to foster an enabling innovation ecosystem, Korea will strengthen its global leadership and lay the groundwork for a cooperative system. A dedicated organization will be created to develop a regulatory framework for nuclear fusion (differs from nuclear power) that aligns with international standards, while also enhancing regulatory cooperation with international organizations and countries developing fusion reactors. In addition, Korea plans to enhance global leadership and contribute to tackling key challenges facing ITER by leveraging the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) as a preliminary test device. The Ministry will also work to establish a foundation for the industrialization of nuclear fusion energy by pursuing strategic information sharing and joint research with research facilities in the U.S., European countries, and Japan.

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The MSIT plans to conduct a preliminary feasibility study for a KRW 1.2 trillion project focused on developing innovative nuclear fusion technologies and building related infrastructure through a public-private partnership.

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Minister Lee Jong-Ho of Science and ICT said, “Nuclear fusion energy can be the answer to our energy challenges and growing demand for electricity. Countries with advanced nuclear fusion energy technology will lead the global energy market in the future.”

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He added, “Korea will gain an upper hand in the global competition for energy supplies by securing nuclear fusion energy ahead of demand. To achieve this, we will revamp our research and development mechanism to enhance public-private partnerships, and strengthen the nuclear fusion ecosystem.”

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For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

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Please refer to the attached PDF.