(Yonhap Interview) S. Korea prepares launch of new SMR review system this month: nuclear watchdog chief

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SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Small modular reactors (SMRs) have emerged as an important, carbon-free energy source in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), where the explosive growth of data centers requires an unprecedented amount of stable power.

In response to such shifts in energy demands, South Korea is set to introduce a preliminary review system designed to streamline the commercial development and deployment of SMRs starting later this month. The system will allow SMR developers to undergo safety and design verifications before formal licensing. It has already been adopted in countries such as the United States and Canada.

With less than a month to go ahead of the system's launch, around ten companies -- both from home and abroad -- have expressed their intent to apply, with some considering making a submission immediately after the system takes effect, the head of the country's nuclear watchdog said.

"There are a few SMR developers saying they will apply as soon as the preliminary review system is launched," Choi Won-ho, the head of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.

They include BEES Inc., a South Korean SMR developer, TerraPower from the U.S. and Saltfoss Energy from Denmark, according to Choi.

Choi Won-ho, the chairperson of the Nuclear Security and Security Commission (NSSC), is seen speaking in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2026, in this photo provided by the NSSC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

In February, South Korea announced its roadmap to establish a regulatory framework for SMRs. Under the scheme, the NSSC will overhaul existing safety standards in phases by 2030 to include nuclear reactors of various designs and purposes.

"The system can ease uncertainties surrounding regulatory reviews for companies, while also allowing institutions to understand new technologies from a regulatory perspective earlier on," Choi said.

Choi noted that his agency is actively participating in global projects on SMR regulations, including those led by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is also in discussions with countries like the U.S. and Canada, which already have experience in the authorization of such reactors.

"It's important to ensure international consistency in our SMR regulations."

Establishing a domestic regulatory framework is not just important for deployment at home, but for South Korea's nuclear export strategy, the watchdog chief said.

In 2009, a South Korea-led consortium won a project to export four nuclear reactors using its homegrown technology to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of which have commenced commercial operations as of 2024. This was followed by another project to build two reactors in the Czech Republic's Dukovany, signed last year.

"To export nuclear reactors, the sharing and transferring of expertise on safety regulation to the host country ... is as important as the nuclear technology itself," Choi said.

Most recently, the NSSC is discussing areas of cooperation with Vietnam, which officially restarted its nuclear power program in 2024.

"Vietnam is requesting our support in the establishment of a safety regulatory framework and the training and education of related personnel," he explained.

On the timeline regarding the lifespan extension review of seven aging reactors, Choi said he expects the commission to review Hanbit units 1 and 2 within the first half of 2027 and Hanul units 1 and 2 by the second half of next year.

A total of 10 nuclear reactors were up for lifespan extension reviews following a request from the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), the state-run nuclear plant operator.

The NSSC has since approved a 10-year extension for three pressurized water reactors that have been in operation for over 40 years -- Kori units 2, 3 and 4 -- located in the country's southeastern coast.

The nuclear watchdog, meanwhile, vowed to continue its monitoring activities regarding Japan's continued release of water from the disabled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

"We have been analyzing the effects of the water release at 78 points," he said. "The NSSC plans to continue the inspection of not only our territorial waters, but the monitoring of activities carried out by Japan."

fairydust@yna.co.kr (END)

(Yonhap Interview) S. Korea, U.S. can make 'great' progress in SMRs: State Department official

3 firms interested in applying for S. Korea's SMR preliminary review

(LEAD) Nuclear watchdog approves 10-yr lifespan extension for Kori units 3, 4

(Yonhap Interview) S. Korea prepares launch of new SMR review system this month: nuclear watchdog chief

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首尔，11月3日（韩联社）——在人工智能时代，数据中心爆炸式增长需要前所未有的稳定电力，小型模块化反应堆（SMR）已成为一种重要的无碳能源。

为应对能源需求的这种变化，韩国将于本月晚些时候推出一项初步审查制度，旨在简化小型模块化反应堆（SMR）的商业开发和部署流程。该制度将允许SMR开发商在正式获得许可前进行安全性和设计验证。美国和加拿大等国已经采用了这种制度。

距离该系统启动不到一个月，已有约十家国内外公司表示有意申请，其中一些公司正在考虑在系统生效后立即提交申请，该国核能监管机构负责人表示。

“一些小型模块化反应堆开发商表示，一旦初步审查制度启动，他们就会立即提出申请，”韩国核安全保障委员会（NSSC）主席崔元浩周四在接受韩联社采访时表示。

据崔先生透露，这些公司包括韩国小型模块化反应堆开发商 BEES Inc.、美国的 TerraPower 和丹麦的 Saltfoss Energy。

韩国核安全保障委员会（NSSC）委员长崔元浩于2026年10月29日在首尔接受韩联社采访。这张照片由NSSC提供。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

今年2月，韩国公布了建立小型模块化反应堆（SMR）监管框架的路线图。根据该方案，韩国国家安全委员会（NSSC）将在2030年前分阶段修订现有的安全标准，使其涵盖各种设计和用途的核反应堆。

崔表示：“该系统可以减轻企业在监管审查方面面临的不确定性，同时也能让机构更早地从监管角度了解新技术。”

崔指出，他的机构正积极参与小型模块化反应堆（SMR）监管方面的全球项目，包括国际原子能机构牵头的项目。该机构也正与美国和加拿大等在SMR审批方面已有经验的国家进行磋商。

“确保小型模块化反应堆（SMR）法规的国际一致性非常重要。”

监管机构负责人表示，建立国内监管框架不仅对国内部署很重要，而且对韩国的核出口战略也很重要。

2009 年，由韩国牵头的财团赢得了一个项目，将利用其自主研发的技术向阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）出口四座核反应堆，所有反应堆均已于 2024 年开始商业运营。随后，去年又签署了在捷克共和国杜科瓦尼建造两座反应堆的另一个项目。

崔表示：“对于出口核反应堆而言，与东道国分享和转移安全监管方面的专业知识……与核技术本身同样重要。”

最近，国家核安全委员会正在与越南讨论合作领域，越南已于 2024 年正式重启其核电计划。

他解释说：“越南请求我们在建立安全监管框架以及相关人员的培训和教育方面提供支持。”

关于七个老旧反应堆的延寿审查时间表，崔表示，他预计委员会将在 2027 年上半年审查韩比特 1 号和 2 号机组，并在明年下半年审查韩蔚 1 号和 2 号机组。

应韩国国营核电站运营商韩国水力核电公司（KHNP）的要求，共有 10 座核反应堆需要进行延寿审查。

国家核安全委员会 (NSSC) 已批准将位于该国东南沿海的三座已运行 40 多年的压水反应堆（古里核电站 2 号、3 号和 4 号机组）的运行期限延长 10 年。

与此同时，核能监管机构誓言将继续监测日本从已停运的福岛核电站持续排放污水的情况。

他说：“我们一直在分析78个泄水点的影响。国家海洋安全委员会计划继续检查我国领海，并监测日本的活动。”

fairydust@yna.co.kr (完)

（韩联社采访）美国国务院官员称，韩国和美国可以在小型模块化反应堆（SMR）领域取得“巨大”进展。

有3家公司有意申请韩国SMR初步审查

（新闻快讯）核监管机构批准古里核电站3号和4号机组延长使用寿命10年

（韩联社专访）韩国核能监管机构负责人：韩国准备本月启动新的小型模块化反应堆审查系统