South Korea Announces KRW 1.2 Trillion to Prioritize Fusion Commercialization

South Korea announced a government project worth KRW 1.2 trillion with the goal of harnessing fusion power. This new initiative, separate from K-STAR and South Korea’s ITER contributions, will focus on ensuring a private sector led fusion ecosystem in the country. The announcement was made on July 22 during a National Nuclear Fusion Committee meeting, chaired by Minister Lee Jong Ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

“Although Korea has been one of the leading players with the Kstar project and its involvement in the ITER program, the competition is getting fiercer with new startups aiming to begin commercial operation in the 2030s coming up in the United States, Britain and China. Therefore, without a public-private partnership, we may fall behind in the global race.”

Park Sang-wook, Senior Presidential Secretary for Science and Technology

A pillar of South Korea’s strategy involves strengthening collaboration between public institutions and private companies. The government is promoting innovative collaborative projects that integrate the engineering capabilities of the private sector with the scientific research expertise of public institutions. This initiative is poised to drive innovations in fusion engineering, including the development of diverters and breeding blankets. The initiative aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technology between private and public sectors.

“As many large- and small-sized companies involved in the Kstar and ITER projects have accumulated experience, we plan to create an ecosystem for fusion energy together with the private sector, universities, and research institutes.”

Oh Yeong-kook, President of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy

These efforts are designed to not only expedite technological breakthroughs but also ensure that South Korea can effectively integrate these advancements into its energy infrastructure. The South Korean government’s plan emphasizes three strategies. 

• Technological Innovation: Promoting public-private cooperation to propel innovation in fusion technology. This will involve combining the advanced engineering capabilities of the private sector and the research and technology of the public sector. 
• Industrialization: Laying down the groundwork for the industrialization of fusion energy, ensuring that the technology can be scaled and integrated into the energy grid.
• Creating an Innovation Ecosystem: Establishing a supportive environment for fusion energy development. 

To support the growing industry, South Korean universities are set to launch and/or expand fusion majors. This education initiative aims to cultivate a workforce ready to meet the demands of the fusion industry. The project also hopes to attract international talent to Korea.

Minister Lee emphasized fusion energy is not just a solution to current energy challenges but also a strategic asset in the face of rising power demands. By focusing on collaborative innovation and bolstering the fusion ecosystem, South Korea aims to secure a leading position in commercial fusion.