The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 27th that it signed a nuclear research and development cooperation agreement with the University of Missouri at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.
The cooperation was pursued after a consortium of KAERI and Hyundai Engineering won a contract in Apr. for the initial design project of the University of Missouri's next-generation research reactor.
Through this agreement, the two institutions agreed to strengthen cooperation in six areas: ▲ reactor technology ▲ instrumentation systems ▲ radioactive isotopes ▲ neutron beams ▲ materials ▲ advanced computing. Specifically, they will promote personnel exchanges and joint training programs, joint use of research facilities, and expanded academic exchanges.
First Vice Minister Gu Hyeok-chae of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "Korea, which in the past received support for nuclear technology from the United States, has now become a peer cooperation partner with the United States in next-generation research reactor development," and noted, "It is significant in that Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation has entered a new stage."
KAERI President Ju Han-gyu said, "This agreement will serve as an opportunity to establish a sustainable technological cooperation model following the export of the research reactor design," and added, "We will broaden the scope of cooperation based on trust between Korea and the United States."