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South Korean Study Confirms Low-Dose CT Arthrography Reduces Radiation Exposure in Shoulder Examinations

A research team led by Professor Choi Jeong-ah from the Department of Radiology at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital in South Korea has recently confirmed that low-dose CT arthrography can reduce patient radiation exposure by approximately 31% while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy, with diagnostic performance comparable to 3T magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI). The findings have been published in the international musculoskeletal imaging journal *Skeletal Radiology*. Rotator cuff tears and superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions are significant causes of shoulder pain; if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, they may lead to arthritis or decreased shoulder joint function. Currently, 3T MRI is commonly used for precise examinations, but it has drawbacks such as high cost, long examination times, and the potential for claustrophobia in some patients;...

2026-07-30

Heavy water leak at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in South Korea found to be far larger than initially reported

The actual scale of the heavy water leak that occurred at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, in September last year, is reported to be far larger than the initially disclosed figure. The Gyeongju Environmental Movement Alliance disclosed on the 30th that a detailed internal report obtained from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) shows the total amount of heavy water leaked was 1,311.15 kg, approximately five times the initially reported 256 kg, of which 5.14 kg was recorded as having leaked outdoors. After the incident, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) had reported a heavy water leak of 256 kg and stated that no external leakage occurred. The detailed report now made public reveals...

2026-07-30

South Korea launches design of 250 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor Helios

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), in collaboration with Hyundai Engineering & Construction and KEPCO E&C, has initiated the design of the next-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor Helios. The reactor is planned to have an electrical output of 250 MWe, based on the existing 100 MWe-class sodium-cooled fast reactor Salus-100 design, targeting large-scale power consumption applications such as AI data centers and industrial parks. Lee Je-hwan, head of the Fourth Generation Reactor Technology Development Department at KAERI, stated that future demand for large-scale carbon-free electricity around AI data centers and industrial parks...

2026-07-30

SK Innovation Proposes LNG and Small Modular Reactor Cooperation in Vietnam

South Korea's SK Innovation has proposed a phased energy cooperation plan for Vietnam, initially using liquefied natural gas (LNG) power generation to ensure electricity supply, and later expanding to next-generation nuclear energy technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs), in response to growing electricity demand driven by Vietnam's artificial intelligence and high-tech industry development. On July 29, SK Innovation announced that its CEO, Choo Hyeong-wook, visited Vietnam from the 16th to the 17th and met with officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), and its power generation subsidiary, PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power), to discuss cooperation in the energy and high-tech sectors. According to SK Innovation's...

2026-07-30

Yeongdeok-gun, South Korea, Signs Cooperation Agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for New Nuclear Power Plant Construction

On July 29, Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, signed the "Mutual Cooperation Agreement for New Nuclear Power Plant Construction and Regional Development" with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) at the KHNP headquarters in Gyeongju. Under the agreement, both parties will strengthen collaboration in the process of advancing the new nuclear power plant, including expanding local enterprise participation, creating job opportunities, cultivating local talent, improving education and welfare infrastructure, and cooperating in administrative support and licensing procedures. At the same time, both sides will establish a mechanism for continuous communication with the local community to align project construction with regional development. In June 2025, Yeongdeok-gun was selected as the site for two new large-scale nuclear power plants promoted by the South Korean government and KHNP...

2026-07-30

Bill Gates May Visit South Korea Next Month, Advanced Nuclear Energy and AI Cooperation Expected to Be on Agenda

Industry insiders revealed on July 29 that Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of the Gates Foundation, plans to visit South Korea as early as next month and has requested a meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's office. Currently, both sides are coordinating the meeting time and agenda, with the specific visit date and meeting arrangements yet to be confirmed. If the visit proceeds, it will be Gates' second engagement with South Korea on advanced industrial cooperation following his trip last year. In August last year, Gates visited South Korea, focusing on discussing cooperation plans in areas such as artificial intelligence and next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs). During the visit, Gates also...

2026-07-30

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and SK Hynix to Jointly Use Proton Accelerator and Other Facilities for Semiconductor Radiation Reliability Research

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced on July 29 that its Proton Science Research Group has signed a mutual cooperation agreement with SK Hynix to jointly utilize research facilities such as the proton accelerator to advance research on semiconductor radiation reliability. According to the agreement, the two parties will conduct joint research on proton beams and neutron beams generated by the proton accelerator and the HANARO research reactor, and explore methods to simulate real atmospheric and cosmic radiation environments using high-energy proton beams, gamma-ray beams, and neutron beams for radiation impact assessment of semiconductors and other products. In outer space and high-altitude aircraft flight environments, the shielding effect of the atmosphere and magnetic field against cosmic radiation is relatively weakened. After being exposed to cosmic radiation, semiconductors may experience malfunctions or damage. Therefore, semiconductors used in mobile devices such as automobiles and satellites need to have their radiation resistance verified before being put into use.

2026-07-29

Pohang, South Korea, launches a special inspection for foodborne pathogens and radionuclides in summer seafood.

Pohang City in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, has recently launched a special safety inspection campaign for seafood during the summer season to address potential risks of foodborne illness associated with rising air and seawater temperatures. Ru

2026-07-27

South Korea demonstrates a silicon carbide semiconductor-based beta battery for the first time; the Nickel-63 nuclear battery promises long-term power supply.

On July 26, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) announced that a team led by Senior Researcher Seo Jae-hwa from its Next-Generation Semiconductor Research Center, in collaboration with Professor Yoon Young-jun’s team at Kyungpo

2026-07-27

South Korea Launches Construction of Trillion-Won Saebit Synchrotron Accelerator

On July 27, South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Korea Saebit Accelerator" at the synchrotron radiation accelerator site in Ochang, Cheongju, Nor

2026-07-27

South Korea's Doosan Enerbility wins order for steam generator forgings for Shandong Laiyang Nuclear Power Units 5 and 6.

South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility announced on the 27th that it has signed supply contracts with Dongfang Electric International (DEI) and Dongfang Heavy Machinery (DFHM)—subsidiaries of China’s Dongfang Electric Corporation—to provide u

2026-07-27

South Korean Study Quantifies Social Benefits of SMR R&D: Five-Year Present Value Estimated at Approximately 459.7 Billion Won

On the 22nd, Changwon National University in South Korea announced that a team led by Professor Lee Joo-yong of the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering (Technology Management Research Laboratory) had completed a quantitative assessment of the soc

2026-07-23