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한국원자력연구원 대표 홈페이지(영문)>About KAERI>History and Research Achievements
History and Research Achievements
2020 ~ Present
Aug. 31, 2022Groundbreaking for the KJRR(Kijang Research Reactor)
Jul. 21, 2021Groundbreaking for the MARINS(Munmu Advanced Research Institute of Nuclear Science)
2025Contract 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.
2024Standard 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.
2021Contract for Bangladesh Training Research Reactor(BTRR) Renovation ProjectSigned the contract for modernization of the instrumentation and control system of the Bangladesh Training Research Reactor(BTRR), achieving sixth export record in research reactors.
2020Securing Pyroprocessing Technology through Korea-U.S. Joint researchObtained spent nuclear fuel volume reduction technology through experiments with simulated nuclear materials at the PRIDE (Pyroprocessing Integrated Inactive Demonstration) facility.
2010 ~ 2019
Jan. 1, 2013Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex launched in Gyeongju
2019HANARO Designated as IAEA ICERRKAERI'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-NWALCompleted accession to the IAEA Network of Analytical Laboratories(NWAL), becoming the world's third institute with full scope certification for safeguards sample analysis.
2015SMART Partnership with Saudi ArabiaIn 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.
2014Won a bid to upgrade the Hoger Onderwijs Reactor (HOR) of the NetherlandsWon the bid to install a cold neutron testing facility for HOR, operated by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
2012Led 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
2012Acquired 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.
2011Developed high power proton linear acceleratorBecame 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).
2010Jordanian research leads to export agreementSelected 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, 2007Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute inaugurated with the change of Korean name
Mar. 27, 2007Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences separated into an independent institute
Sep. 29, 2006Jeongeup Advanced Radiation Technology Institute established
Oct. 25, 2004Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control becoming or separated into an independent institute
2001Developed new radiopharmaceutical Milican InjDeveloped new radiopharmaceutical using holmium-166 to treat liver cancer without medical surgery (first new radiopharmaceutical in Korea).
1990 ~ 1999
Feb. 15, 1990Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety separated into an independent institute
Dec. 16, 1996Reactor system, nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste projects transferred to industries
1996Developed the Korean Standard Nuclear Power PlantDesigned 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.
1995Constructed HANARO research reactorDesigned 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, 1980Institutional Name changed to Korea Advanced Energy Research InstituteMerged with Korea Nuclear Fuel Development Institute
Dec. 30, 1989Original name of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute restored
1988Localized nuclear fuel for light-water reactorAchieved 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.
1987Localized nuclear fuel for heavy-water reactorAchieved 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, 1973Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (government-funded research institute) establishedMerging the Atomic Energy Research Institute, Radiological Research Institute, and Radiation Research Institute in Agriculture
Dec. 1, 1976Korea Nuclear Fuel Development Institute established
Feb. 3, 1959Atomic Energy Research Institute (national research institute) established
May 10, 1972Completed construction of research reactor TRIGA-Mark Ⅲ
