Roh envisions South Korea as global leader in nuclear fusion energy

Posted on : 2007-09-14 17:33 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST

President Roh Moo-hyun said Friday that South Korea will grow into one of the world's top five countries in nuclear fusion energy technology by 2021 and start commercial generation of electricity from nuclear fusion by 2040.

Roh made the remarks during a dedication ceremony for the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), a research facility for the development of nuclear fusion energy, at the Daedok Science Town in Daejeon, about 150 kilometers south of Seoul.

The Ministry of Science and Technology said the KSTAR reactor, developed over 12 years at a cost of 309 billion won (US$332 million), will make South Korea a world leader in nuclear fusion field.

The ministry explained the KSTAR reactor will be a pilot device for the planned International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a joint project of seven advanced countries, including South Korea.

"South Korea has to overcome its weakness as a resources-poor nation with advanced technologies. The KSTAR reactor independently designed and built by South Korean scientists demonstrates the nation's status as a technology power," said Roh in his congratulatory address.

"We have to bet heavily on the development of clean, safe and limitless energy sources, like nuclear fusion. Our experiences and technologies acquired from the KSTAR will be greatly helpful to the implementation of the ITER," the president said.

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap)

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