The Ministry of Science and ICT (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon) announced that First Vice Minister Koo Hyuck-chae attended, as the Republic of Korea’s chief delegate, the launch ceremony of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) marine nuclear power international cooperation framework ‘ATLAS’, held in Washington, D.C., in the United States from August 26 to 27. On the occasion of this participation, the government is moving in earnest into international cooperation aimed at the era of marine nuclear power, building on the capabilities it has accumulated in the nuclear power, shipbuilding and maritime sectors.
 [코리안투데이] First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuck-chae attends the IAEA ATLAS launch ceremony © 장형임 기자 |
As interest grows in technological solutions for achieving carbon neutrality in the international shipping sector, nuclear-powered vessels and floating nuclear power plants that make use of next-generation nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) are drawing attention as new alternatives for future energy and maritime transport. This trend follows the rise of climate change response and the strengthening of energy security as major tasks for the international community.
In response to these changes, the IAEA launched ATLAS (Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea) to establish a foundation for international cooperation aimed at the safe and responsible use of marine nuclear power. ATLAS is an IAEA-centered cooperation framework that, based on collaboration among international organizations in the nuclear and maritime fields such as the IAEA and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), supports the international discussions needed to introduce marine nuclear power, including safety, security and safeguards as well as the development of legal, regulatory and international standards. At the launch ceremony, member states discussed international standards and directions for cooperation on the introduction of marine nuclear power.
Korea has developed its nuclear power industry on the basis of its experience across the full life cycle of nuclear power plant design, construction and operation, along with its safety regulation capabilities, and it also possesses world-class shipbuilding and maritime industry capabilities. Through the K-Moonshot Project, the government is pursuing the development of SMR-powered ships that can contribute to decarbonization in the maritime transport sector, in the field of SMRs, which it has selected as one of the seven SEED future growth engines. To this end, the government is pursuing basic design, verification of key equipment and the development of core technologies in stages, with the goal of completing the comprehensive design of an SMR ship and beginning its construction by 2035, while also putting in place the necessary foundations such as safety and regulation, specialized personnel and infrastructure.
In his keynote speech, Vice Minister Koo introduced the experience Korea has accumulated in the nuclear power, shipbuilding and maritime sectors, as well as the country’s state of readiness for marine nuclear power. He then stressed that, for the successful use of marine nuclear power, it is important to build international trust and a foundation for cooperation alongside technology development, and he expressed his intention to actively take part in international discussions on safety, security, safeguards and regulatory systems, while expanding cooperation with member states in various areas such as technology, infrastructure and workforce training.
First Vice Minister Koo Hyuck-chae said, ‘Marine nuclear power is a field that will open up new possibilities for future energy and maritime transport,’ adding, ‘Through ATLAS, the Republic of Korea will work together with the international community to build a safe and responsible future for marine nuclear power.’
This launch ceremony marks an early stage in which countries around the world jointly design the international norms and standards for marine nuclear power, and attention is focused on whether Korea, which holds strengths in both the nuclear power and shipbuilding industries, can take part in the rule-making process and secure a leading position in the future marine nuclear power market.
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