Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and the United Kingdom jointly convened the Korea-UK Joint Workshop on Advanced Nuclear Technologies from March 20 to 21, 2025, to explore avenues for collaboration in next-generation nuclear technologies.

The workshop was organized as a follow-up to the ministerial bilateral meeting held during the IAEA General Conference in September 2024, and the visit by the Civil Nuclear Director from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to KAERI in November 2024. The initiative was proposed by the British Embassy in Korea to build upon previous dialogue and further strengthen technical cooperation.

Held in Daejeon on March 21, the workshop featured two focused sessions: GEN IV Technologies & Cogeneration and High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU). Experts from both countries shared recent developments in research and innovation and engaged in discussions on potential future cooperation in advanced reactor and fuel technologies.

On March 20, prior to the main event, representatives from the UK government and research institutions visited KAERI headquarters to tour key research facilities. These included the HANARO research reactor, the Advanced Thermal-Hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation (ATLAS), and the Sodium Test Loop for Safety Simulation and Assessment (STELLA-2). The visit provided an opportunity to witness KAERI’s technical infrastructure and research capacity firsthand.

The workshop welcomed participation from key organizations including DESNZ, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and URENCO, and served as a valuable platform to deepen mutual understanding and enhance scientific exchange between Korea and the UK in the field of advanced nuclear energy.