On April 17, 2024, a delegation led by CEO Loyiso Tyabashe of South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) visited Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to promote cooperation in nuclear energy and explore avenues for future collaboration.

Both institutions have actively contributed to the advancement of nuclear energy technologies, demonstrating remarkable achievements. NECSA, in particular, is recognized for its expertise in various technologies, including isotope production.

President Joo warmly welcomed the delegation, underscoring the importance of nuclear energy in achieving carbon neutrality by providing stable, clean energy. He emphasized the crucial role of advanced nuclear technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), in this endeavor.

NECSA's CEO Loyiso Tyabashe expressed gratitude for the warm reception and keen interest in KAERI's nuclear technology expertise. He expressed hopes for future collaborations in various fields of nuclear energy such as research reactor and nuclear fuel.

Discussions on future cooperation took place in diverse fields, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), nuclear fuel design/production, medical isotope production, reactor safety analysis, robotics, and human resources development, and so on.

Following the meeting, the NECSA delegation took a technical tour of KAERI's research facilities, including HANARO (High-flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor) and RIPF (RadioIsotope Production Facility).