Seoul announces construction start at KJRR in Busan
First concrete has been poured for a research reactor in South Korea that will provide a new domestic and global source of crucial medical radioisotopes.
The Kijang Research Reactor (KJRR) is at the Radiology Science Industrial Complex in Gijang-gun, Busan, in the southeast of the country.
The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) said reactor will help South Korea achieve self-sufficiency and exports of major medical and industrial radioactive radioisotopes. These include molybdenum-99, iodine-131, iodine-125 and iridium-192.
KAERI said it plans to supply more than 15% of the global radioisotope market. The reactor will also be used for materials and fuel testing and as a demonstration plant for the export of similar research reactors.
South Korea produces medical radioisotopes at existing research reactors, but on a small scale and for the local market.
The International Atomic Energy said the reactor is a major national project for nuclear science and engineering.
The $570m project began in April 2012 and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) issued a construction permit in May 2019. Groundbreaking and excavation work began the following month.
KAERI said the facility is scheduled to be completed and trial operation to begin in 2026. KAERI expects to obtain operating permits from the NSSC and begin full operation of the facility in 2027.
First concrete has been poured for the reactor, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced. Courtesy KAERI.
