S.Korea's science minister calls small modular reactors 'game changers'

Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho on Thursday pledged full support for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), which he called a "game changer" in the energy industry.

At the fourth Innovative SMR National Assembly Forum at Glad Yeouido Hotel in Seoul, he discussed measures for SMR development and commercialization.

"SMRs have recently received heated interest as a way to respond to the climate crisis and secure energy security," he said. "The Ministry of Science and ICT will offer its full support from this year for the timely development of innovative SMRs with world-class competitiveness."

"In addition to technological development, we must concurrently build an SMR industrial ecosystem, improve related laws and systems, and foster the basis for SMR exports and commercialization," he added.

About 200 people from industry, academia and research related to nuclear power attended the event. Kim Han-gon, head of a project to develop innovative SMR technology, gave a presentation on the development and commercialization of the device.

In the panel discussion and Q&A that followed, participants exchanged views on industrial demand for innovative SMRs.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com