The Ministry of Science and ICT said the 31st International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2027), the world's largest international event in the fusion energy field, will be held in Seoul from Oct. 4 to 9, 2027. To that end, the ministry signed a host country agreement with the IAEA and began full-fledged preparations.
The FEC is the most prestigious international conference in fusion research and development, hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency every two years since 1961, and is dubbed the "fusion Olympics." Government officials from each country, research institutes, international organizations, and industry experts participate in the event to share the latest research achievements and discuss policy directions and cooperation plans.
About 1,500 people, including government officials and fusion experts from about 40 countries, are expected to attend the 2027 Seoul event. The IAEA will host the event, the Ministry of Science and ICT will participate as the host country government, and the Korea institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) will organize it.
Korea is hosting the FEC for the first time in 17 years since the 23rd conference held in Daejeon in 2010. In the meantime, Korea has continued fusion research based on the superconducting fusion research device (KSTAR) developed with domestic technology and has expanded its presence in international cooperation by participating in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.
The government plans to use this event to showcase Korea's competitiveness in fusion technology and further expand international cooperation and public-private collaboration. To this end, it will establish an organizing committee and a secretariat with relevant ministries and the Korea institute of Fusion Energy (KFE), and proceed with step-by-step preparations such as preparatory meetings with the IAEA and on-site inspections.
Oh Dae-hyun, director general for future strategic technology policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Hosting FEC 2027 in Korea is a meaningful opportunity to reaffirm Korea's fusion research capabilities and international standing," adding, "The government, research institutes, and industry will work together to prepare thoroughly to successfully hold the event and make it a springboard for the Republic of Korea to leap forward as the central country in international fusion cooperation and a key partner in the global supply chain."