Search Results

South Korea's Ulju County Seeks to Streamline Procedures for Support Projects Around Nuclear Power Plants

Ulju County, Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, announced on August 26 that it will propose simplifying the procedures for implementing support projects in areas around power plants at the administrative meeting of local governments hosting nuclear power plants to be held next month, and will push for institutional adjustments to expand the scope of support for electricity bill subsidy projects. According to the Enforcement Decree of South Korea's Act on Support for Areas Around Power Plants, basic support projects for areas around power plants include profit-generating projects, public and social welfare projects, education projects, resident welfare support projects, investment attraction support projects, electricity bill subsidy projects, and other support projects. The first institutional improvement proposal put forward by Ulju County this time is to simplify the procedures for using basic support funds generated during the construction of small-capacity power plants.

2026-08-26

Korea's Shin-Kori Unit 1 Reaches Full Power After Scheduled Maintenance

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced that Shin-Kori Unit 1 reached 100% rated power at approximately 3:07 a.m. on the 26th. The unit is a 1,400 MW-class pressurized water reactor. Shin-Kori Unit 1 began its sixth scheduled preventive maintenance on July 2 and resumed power generation on July 23. During the maintenance period, the unit underwent statutory inspections as required by Korea's Nuclear Safety Act. Shin-Kori nuclear power plant stated that this maintenance included nuclear fuel replacement, as well as maintenance and inspection of major equipment and facilities to enhance the safety and reliability of the power generation facility....

2026-08-26

North Gyeongsang Provincial Council Establishes Special Committee on Nuclear Power

On August 25, the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council in South Korea established a Special Committee on Nuclear Power on the first day of its 365th special session, electing provincial council member Kim Jae-jun as committee chairman and Lee Dong-hyeop as vice chairman. According to reports, the committee will focus on addressing major nuclear power-related issues in the region, while also working to enhance the competitiveness of the nuclear power industry in North Gyeongsang Province and safeguard the safety and rights of provincial residents. North Gyeongsang Province is one of the regions in South Korea with a relatively high concentration of nuclear power facilities, having already developed a certain base of nuclear institutions and industrial infrastructure. With the recent confirmation of two new nuclear reactor projects in Yeongdeok County, the committee plans to strengthen on-site investigations and legislative activities to promote the nuclear power industry as a new growth driver for the region's underdeveloped areas.

2026-08-25

South Korea's SEC Joins National R&D Project for Active Dose Distribution Control Radiotherapy Equipment

South Korean electron beam source technology company SEC announced on August 25 that it has been selected as a joint research institution for the world's best active dose distribution control radiotherapy machine R&D project, and will participate in the development of core technologies related to next-generation radiotherapy equipment. The project is a newly established task under the Global Flagship Medical Device R&D Program of the South Korean government's medical device R&D fund, with a duration of 6 years and 6 months, starting from July this year and planned to continue until December 2032. The total project budget is 35.2 billion KRW, of which 28 billion KRW is government funding. Radexel serves as the lead institution, with SEC participating as a joint research institution. Other participating organizations include the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Testing Laboratory...

2026-08-25

South Korea Launches Next-Generation Energy Leader Training Program in Nuclear Energy

The Next-Generation Energy Leader Training Program in the nuclear energy sector, supported by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning Institute (KETEP) and implemented by the Korea Association for Radiation Promotion (KARA), has been officially launched. On August 25, the association held an inauguration ceremony at the 2026 Climate and Energy Job Fair held in Changwon, marking the program's entry into the implementation phase. The program targets young researchers who have recently obtained doctoral degrees, focusing on enhancing their research capabilities and industrial adaptability in the nuclear energy field, while promoting closer talent cultivation linkage mechanisms among universities, enterprises, and research institutions...

2026-08-25

South Korean team develops biodegradable microgel for localized radiation therapy

Pusan National University announced on August 25 that a research team led by Professor Yang Seung-yun from the Department of Biomaterials Science, in collaboration with Professor Kim Hoon-soo from the Department of Dermatology and Professor Kim Geun-young from the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Pusan National University Hospital, as well as SNBIA Co., Ltd., has developed a precision localized radiation therapy technology based on biodegradable radioactive isotope materials for the treatment of refractory keloids that tend to recur after surgery. Conceptual diagram of precision treatment technology for refractory keloids. Provided by Pusan National University. Keloids are caused by abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive accumulation of collagen after skin injury. Existing treatment methods include surgery, steroid injections, laser therapy, etc., but...

2026-08-25

South Korea Reviews Plans for New Nuclear Units and 20-Year License Extensions

The South Korean government is reviewing plans to build new nuclear power units and extend the operating license periods of existing nuclear plants to address mid- to long-term electricity demand growth driven by semiconductor industry clusters in Yongin and the Honam region. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment submitted a written response to the National Assembly on the 24th, stating that during the revision of the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, it will review whether to include new nuclear power plants in the plan, taking into account factors such as electricity supply-demand necessity, construction schedules, regional acceptance, and suitability of nuclear plant sites. The ministry stated that after the draft of the relevant work is published, it will also undergo procedures including National Assembly deliberation, public hearings, strategic environmental impact assessment, and climate change impact assessment.

2026-08-25

South Korea denies rumors of joint investment with U.S. in Westinghouse Electric

In response to external claims that the United States proposed South Korea jointly invest in Westinghouse Electric Company, the South Korean government recently responded, stating that such claims are not true. According to a South Korean government source revealed on August 24, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) were reportedly evaluating a plan to jointly acquire a partial stake in Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) with the U.S. government. The related claims stated that the investment scale and shareholding ratio had not yet been determined, and the plan might involve establishing a special purpose vehicle through joint South Korea-U.S. funding to acquire shares and participate in subsequent U.S. nuclear power plant construction projects.

2026-08-25

Czech Dukovany New Nuclear Project Scheduled to Break Ground in 2029

Preliminary work on the new nuclear power plant project at Dukovany, Czech Republic, continues to advance. According to information released by the Confederation of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic (SP ČR), geological surveys at the project site have been completed, and the permitting process is underway with no major obstacles identified so far. Under the current schedule, main construction of the new nuclear power plant is set to begin in 2029. Development of the local supply chain is also progressing in parallel. To date, Czech domestic companies have secured 17 tendered supply packages, though the total contract value has not yet been disclosed. Doosan Škoda Power has joined the project, along with ČEZ Energetické projekty and Energoprojekt Praha, which have entered the relevant design, engineering, and supply chain segments.

2026-08-24

South Korea Clarifies Statutory Functions of KAERI Radiation Injury Treatment Hospital

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) announced on August 24 that the National Assembly had passed a partial amendment to the Act on the Promotion of Radiation and Radioisotope Utilization at its plenary session on August 20, incorporating the functions of a radiation injury treatment hospital, along with supporting research and technology development, into the institute's statutory scope of business. Under the amendment, relevant institutions will provide specialized medical services to individuals who have sustained radiation injuries or are at risk of such injuries. Radiation injury generally refers to health abnormalities in the human body resulting from excessive exposure to radiation. Such injuries may not manifest immediately after exposure; even when early symptoms appear only as skin redness, they can later progress to ulceration, necrosis, and affect the blood or bone marrow systems. Some individuals also require long-term follow-up to monitor for delayed health risks such as cancer.

2026-08-24

Radexel leads South Korea's KRW 35.2 billion project to develop magnetically controlled radiotherapy equipment

South Korean medical device company Radexel announced on August 24 that it has been selected as the lead institution for a global flagship project, partnering with Asan Medical Center, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), and other organizations to develop next-generation radiotherapy equipment based on magnetic field control. The project is a national strategic R&D initiative jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, with a total investment of KRW 35.2 billion, including KRW 27.95 billion in government funding, over a seven-year period. Under the plan, the Radexel consortium will develop a Magnetically Controlled Radiotherapy (MPRT) system. This technology controls secondary...

2026-08-24

Magnitude 3.1 Earthquake in South Korea Does Not Affect Safety of Nuclear Facilities

On August 23, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea reported that at 6:43 a.m. that day, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake occurred approximately 21 kilometers northwest of Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. It was confirmed that all nuclear reactors and related nuclear facilities in South Korea were operating stably, with no abnormalities detected. The nuclear facility closest to the epicenter was the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant, approximately 83.2 kilometers away. The peak ground acceleration recorded at this plant during the earthquake was 0.0032g, far below its seismic design basis of 0.2g, and it is expected that the safety of the facility will not be affected. The Hanbit Regional Office of the NSSC has conducted emergency safety inspections at the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant site...

2026-08-24

Busan, South Korea Reports No Abnormal Radiation Detected in Seawater and Seafood Three Years After Fukushima Discharge

Busan Metropolitan City stated on August 24 that since the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant began in 2023, the city has continuously conducted radiation monitoring and analysis of coastal seawater and seafood. The results show that the safety conditions of Busan's waters and seafood remain stable with no abnormal changes detected. According to Busan Metropolitan City, seawater radioactivity testing is currently conducted at 26 coastal points. Among them, samples from 14 coastal locations including Haeundae, Gwangalli, Dadaepo, Songdo, and Songjeong are analyzed by the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment and local university research institutions. Test results show that the concentrations of relevant radionuclides are far below the World Health Organization drinking water standards, with cesium-134,...

2026-08-24

Naju City, Korea Proposes Construction of National Fusion Energy Center

Naju City, Korea recently proposed the concept of building a national-level fusion energy center, planning to use the locally planned artificial sun research facility as a foundation to connect the entire process of fusion energy from basic research, demonstration and validation, to power generation and industrialization. On August 21, Naju City Mayor Yoon Byung-tae visited the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) and met with its President Oh Young-kuk. Yoon proposed that Naju City would strive to host the fusion demonstration reactor (DEMO) linked to the artificial sun research facility, while promoting the construction of a government-led comprehensive fusion energy research base and industrial cluster, and applying for the designation of a specialized fusion energy...

2026-08-22

South Korea's Asan Medical Center Develops AI-Based Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Platform with U.S. Institutions

The research team at Asan Medical Center in Seoul announced on the 21st that it has recently been selected for the "2026 Korea-U.S. Innovative Outcomes R&D New Support Project" organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and will collaborate with U.S. research institutions to develop an artificial intelligence-based radiopharmaceutical therapy platform aimed at exploring new treatment strategies for solid tumors that respond poorly to conventional therapies. The team is composed of professors including Myung Seung-jae from the Department of Gastroenterology, Oh Seung-jun from the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ryu Chang-hoon from the Department of Oncology, Jung Byung-kwan from the Department of Pathology, and Son Byung-ho from the Department of Breast Surgery at Asan Medical Center. The project will combine Asan Medical Center's large-scale clinical and pathological data, Emory University's AI-based digital pathology analysis technology, and Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center's pathological and clinical research capabilities.

2026-08-22