-KAERI is hosting a commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of the operation of TRIGA II -

- Remembering the meaning of this historical facility which became the starting point of Korea's nuclear technological self-reliance program

□ TRIGA Mark-II, which was the nation's first research reactor and heralded Korea's start of  nuclear R＆D, marked the 50th anniversary of its operation.

□ The event commemorating the 50th anniversary of TRIGA Mark-II operation was held at KAERI auditorium on March 30, 212. TRIGA Mark-II which started its operation in March  1962 is the nation's first research reactor. This commemorative event was held concurrently with a homecoming ceremony to which retired KAERI staff members who contributed to the construction and operation of TRIGA Mark-II were invited.

- This commemorative event proceeded with watching a video clip featuring the history of TRIGA Mark-II. In addition, a report from KAERI president Dr. Jung on the reactor’s 50-year progress was given, along with responding remarks from retired staff member, and an appreciation plaque presentation. A ceremony for unveiling a bust of former president Syngman Rhee, who has played a pivotal role in the introduction of TRIGA Mark-II and the establishment of KAERI, was also held.

□ TRIGA Mark-II research reactor was provided by the reactor manufacturer General Atomics of USA aimed at launching nuclear R＆D in Korea. It reached its first criticality in March 1962 after the start of its construction in July 1959 in Gongreung-dong, Seoul(presently the KEPCO central training center). Though it was originally designed with a 10kW thermal power at the time, it was upgraded to 250kW to meet the increasing demands for radioisotopes and the high neutron flux required to carry out basic science and research.

 - Until its decommissioning in January 1995, TRIGA Mark-II recorded a total power output of 3,735MWh and a total of 36,535 operational hours over its 33-year lifetime. Through its utilization in the research on reactor characteristics, including research on reactor system facilities, TRIGA Mark-II contributed to promoting the understanding of reactor and achieving technological self-reliance in the design and operation of research reactor.

□ Together with TRIGA Mark-III whose construction was completed in 1972, TRIGA Mark-II contributed to advancing Korea's nuclear fundamental technology through its utilization in the training of technical staff at nuclear facilities, the fostering of professional manpower, and radioisotope production. In particular, it has made significant contributions towards the dawning of nuclear power era in Korea through its utilization in the training of nuclear power plant operators.

□ By providing a stepping stone for promoting the understanding of research reactor and achieving nuclear technological self-reliance, TRIGA Mark-II also contributed to Korea's  forward leap as a strong country in research reactor, with remarkable achievements such as the indigenous design and construction of HANARO research reactor in 1995 and the 2009 bid to construct the Jordan Research and Training Reactor(JRTR), which was the nation's first-ever export of a nuclear system facility.

□ The operation of TRIGA Mark-II and TRIGA Mark-III was stopped in January and December 1995, respectively, when HANARO research reactor began its operation. Since the start of decommissioning for TRIGA Mark-III in January 1997, it was wholly decommissioned even to the reactor core while decommissioning work for TRIGA Mark-II's auxiliary and surrounding facilities was completed by 2007. Though KAERI planned to construct a TRIGA Mark-II memorial hall with the preservation of the original reactor assembly owing to its significance as Korea's first research reactor, the difficulties faced regarding the continuous safety management of such a facility made KAERI opt for the manufacturing and installation of a model instead which will be completed by 2014 after removing the irradiated internal structures. TRIGA MARK-II will disappear into the history once its decommissioning is finally completed.

 - The TRIGA Mark-II decommissioning project is the first-ever decommissioning of a nuclear facility launched in Korea and this project will provide an opportunity to verify and accumulate data on decommissioning-related technologies including radioactive waste treatment. Furthermore, this project will provide a firm foundation for Korea's entry into to the world research reactor market which is expected to expand in the future.