History and Research Achievements

2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1950~1970s

2020 ~ Present

Aug. 31, 2022 Groundbreaking for the KJRR(Kijang Research Reactor) Jul. 21, 2021 Groundbreaking for the MARINS(Munmu Advanced Research Institute of Nuclear Science) 2025 Contract for Design Studies of the U.S. NextGen MURRSigned contract for the design study phase of the University of Missouri's Next Generation Research Reactor(Nextgen MURR), marking the first export of Korea's nuclear design technology to the U.S. in 66 years. 2024 Standard Design Approval for SMART100Obtained Standard Design Approval(SDA) for SMART 100, Korea's first advanced fully passive SMR, offering enhanced safety, power output, and economic efficiency. 2021 Contract for Bangladesh Training Research Reactor(BTRR) Renovation Project Signed the contract for modernization of the instrumentation and control system of the Bangladesh Training Research Reactor(BTRR), achieving sixth export record in research reactors. 2020 Securing Pyroprocessing Technology through Korea-U.S. Joint research Obtained spent nuclear fuel volume reduction technology through experiments with simulated nuclear materials at the PRIDE (Pyroprocessing Integrated Inactive Demonstration) facility.

2010 ~ 2019

Jan. 1, 2013 Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex launched in Gyeongju 2019 HANARO Designated as IAEA ICERR KAERI's multi-purpose research reactor, HANARO(High-flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor), designated as an International Centre based on Research Reactors(ICERR) - fifth world wide and first in the Asia-Pacific region. 2018 Qualified for Membership of IAEA-NWAL Completed accession to the IAEA Network of Analytical Laboratories(NWAL), becoming the world's third institute with full scope certification for safeguards sample analysis. 2016 Completed construction of JRTR reactor in Jordan The Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR) construction project, the first nuclear facility exported by Korea was completed in in 6 years and 10 months. 2015 SMART Partnership with Saudi Arabia In 2015, KAERI and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) signed an agreement to perform SMART Pre-Project Engineering. It was successfully completed in 2018. 2014 Won a bid to upgrade the Hoger Onderwijs Reactor (HOR) of the Netherlands Won the bid to install a cold neutron testing facility for HOR, operated by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. 2013 Established PRIDE Facility Established the world’s first PyropRocessing Integrated inactive DEmonstration facility (PRIDE) for peaceful recycling of spent nuclear fuel. 2012 Led the international project on high-density, low-enriched uranium fuel, thus contributing to international nuclear security by sharing centrifugal atomization technology to minimize the use of high-density, low-enriched uranium fuel by research reactors 2012 Acquired standard design approval for SMART reactor which places primary components in a single leak-tight pressure vessel. Succeeded in obtaining first-ever standard design approval for an integrated reactor. 2011 Developed high power proton linear accelerator Became the third country in the world, following the United States and Japan, to develop a high power proton linear accelerator capable of accelerating beams to 100 Mev (20 mA). 2010 Constructed cold neutron research facility Established national research facility (seven cold neutron scattering instruments) to utilize cold neutrons produced from HANARO for research in nano- and bio-related fields. 2010 Jordanian research leads to export agreement Selected by the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) as the final winner of an international competitive tender to build the Jordan Research Reactor JRTR, the first nuclear system to be exported in batches

2000 ~ 2009

Mar. 27, 2007 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute inaugurated with the change of Korean name Mar. 27, 2007 Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences separated into an independent institute Sep. 29, 2006 Jeongeup Advanced Radiation Technology Institute established Oct. 25, 2004 Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control becoming or separated into an independent institute 2006 Established Advanced Thermal-hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation (ATLAS) Established ATLAS to improve nuclear safety based on simulations of actual pressure and temperature in nuclear power plants during failure. 2003 Developed zirconium alloy fuel cladding Developed high-performance zirconium alloy fuel cladding, which offers improved corrosion resistance and creep strength compared to imported fuel claddings. 2001 Developed new radiopharmaceutical Milican Inj Developed new radiopharmaceutical using holmium-166 to treat liver cancer without medical surgery (first new radiopharmaceutical in Korea).

1990 ~ 1999

Feb. 15, 1990 Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety separated into an independent institute Dec. 16, 1996 Reactor system, nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste projects transferred to industries 1996 Developed the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant Designed the Nuclear Steam Supply System, a key component of the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant (OPR1000), to reflect circumstances unique to Korea and to reduce dependence on foreign technology. 1995 Constructed HANARO research reactor Designed and constructed a multi-purpose research reactor, HANARO, for uses of neutrons, isotope production, semiconductor production, etc. HANARO is ranked among the world’s top 10 research reactors in terms of size (neutron flux).

1980 ~ 1989

Dec. 19, 1980 Institutional Name changed to Korea Advanced Energy Research Institute Merged with Korea Nuclear Fuel Development Institute Dec. 30, 1989 Original name of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute restored 1988 Localized nuclear fuel for light-water reactor Achieved localization of nuclear fuel for light-water reactorsaccounting for most reactors in Korea. Established a system to supply locally produced nuclear fuel to all reactors. 1987 Localized nuclear fuel for heavy-water reactor Achieved localization and mass production of heavy-water reactor fuel, which was previously imported from Canada. Paved the way towards achieving self-reliance in nuclear energy by supplying nuclear fuel to four units of heavy-water reactors, including Wolseong Unit 1.

1959 ~ 1979

Feb. 17, 1973 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (government-funded research institute) established Merging the Atomic Energy Research Institute, Radiological Research Institute, and Radiation Research Institute in Agriculture Dec. 1, 1976 Korea Nuclear Fuel Development Institute established Feb. 3, 1959 Atomic Energy Research Institute (national research institute) established May 10, 1972 Completed construction of research reactor TRIGA-Mark Ⅲ Mar. 19, 1962 Completed construction of first research reactor TRIGA-Mark Ⅱ

History and Research Achievements

History and Research Achievements