The delegation from the French Embassy in Korea handling science, technology and energy, culture and languages affairs visited KAERI on September 30.

During the meeting, Dr. Y. J. Jung, KAERI President, gave a shot briefing on the current status of nuclear cooperation activities between KAERI and CEA, emphasizing two organizations’ leading roles in the NEA Coordinated Program on SERENA (Steam Explosion REsolution for Nuclear Applications) Project, in which 12 NEA member states are participating to enhance the level of nuclear safety technology around the world.  Noting the budget framework for the SERENA Project on a cost-sharing basis, Dr. Jung also asked for the French government’s financial assistance in the OECD/NEA Joint SERENA Phase-II activities to be initiated from March 2012. 

Dr. Jung expressed his hope to get detailed information on the utilization plan for the Jules Horowitz Reactor, which is under construction for its operation in 2014 and will open to international cooperation as a User-Facility and to participate in the Joint International Programs once operated. He added that KAERI will sound out possibilities for effectively participating in the JHR program.

Noting recent new developments that France and Korea has maintained the current plan for expanding nuclear programs while Italy and Germany has given up their nuclear programs following the Fukushima accident, Dr. Jung expressed his wish to see mutually bilateral cooperation expanded in the future.

The French side mentioned that as part of post-Fukushima action plan on nuclear safety, France will continue to play a main actor’s role in the world nuclear community by concentrating its strenuous efforts to enhance nuclear safety and that it would be good to come up with the best solution to safety issues which has regained its importance after the Fukushima accident at the Joint Nuclear Cooperation Coordination Meeting to be held in Korea next year.