![[Korea_Atomic_Energy_Research_Institute_logo_(Hangul).svg|300]] Website: [kaeri.re.kr](https://www.kaeri.re.kr/eng/) ### Introduction The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) was established in 1959 as South Korea's premier research institute dedicated to nuclear energy and technology. Headquartered in Daejeon, South Korea, KAERI operates under the Ministry of Science and ICT and has played a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s nuclear capabilities, achieving self-reliance in nuclear core technologies. While specific founders are not publicly documented, KAERI was initiated as a governmental effort to build a foundation for nuclear energy independence. The institute employs a significant workforce, though exact current employee numbers are not publicly available in the latest data. KAERI’s mission focuses on developing innovative nuclear technologies, setting new standards, advancing radiation and fusion research, and contributing to national economic growth through science and technology. As a government-funded research institute, KAERI is not a publicly traded entity and does not have a ticker symbol; it operates as a public-sector organization with funding and oversight from the South Korean government. Its contributions span nuclear reactors, fuel cycles, nuclear materials, and safety technologies, positioning it as a cornerstone of South Korea’s energy and industrial landscape [KAERI Official Website](https://www.kaeri.re.kr/eng/). ### Key Products and Technology KAERI is involved in several cutting-edge nuclear technologies, primarily focusing on nuclear fission and fusion, as well as radiation applications. Below are key projects and technologies under development or operation: - **SMART100 (Small Modular Reactor - SMR)** - **Technical Specifications**: 100 MW electric output per unit, designed for both electricity generation and useful heat production. - **Fuel Type**: Low-enriched uranium. - **Key Differentiators**: Compact design suitable for diverse applications, including remote or marine environments; enhanced safety features with passive cooling systems. - **Development Stage**: Design approved by Korea’s nuclear regulator in 2024; received Approval in Principle from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a floating marine nuclear power platform in 2025. - **Target Customers**: Utilities, industrial sectors, and marine applications (e.g., floating power plants for remote regions or shipping). - **HANARO (High flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor)** - **Technical Specifications**: 30 MW thermal output, used for research purposes including neutron beam applications and isotope production. - **Fuel Type**: Low-enriched uranium. - **Key Differentiators**: One of the few high-flux research reactors in Asia, enabling advanced materials testing and medical isotope production. - **Development Stage**: Operational since 1995, with ongoing upgrades for expanded research capabilities. - **Target Customers**: Research institutions, medical industry, and government agencies for nuclear science experiments. - **Floating Small Modular Reactor (FSMR) Concept** - **Technical Specifications**: Features two SMART100 reactors, designed for marine deployment with a focus on commercial nuclear power at sea. - **Fuel Type**: Low-enriched uranium. - **Key Differentiators**: Innovative floating platform design for energy supply in remote or coastal areas, collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries. - **Development Stage**: Concept design approved by ABS in December 2025. - **Target Customers**: Coastal utilities, remote island communities, and maritime industries. These technologies underscore KAERI’s focus on both traditional nuclear research and innovative applications like SMRs for diverse energy needs [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/korean-floating-small-modular-reactor-design-approved). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a South Korean entity, KAERI operates under the oversight of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea rather than the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The SMART100 SMR design received regulatory approval from the NSSC in 2024, marking a significant milestone for deployment readiness. The recent ABS Approval in Principle for the floating SMR design (FSMR) in December 2025 further validates its marine application potential, though full licensing for commercial deployment is still pending. Key upcoming milestones include detailed safety reviews and potential international certifications for export markets. The estimated timeline for first commercial deployment of the SMART100 or FSMR is likely within the next 5-10 years, contingent on final licensing and construction timelines, though specific dates are not publicly confirmed [Posts on X](https://x.com/). ### Team and Leadership Specific information on KAERI’s current leadership team, such as the President or key executives, is not readily available in the latest public data or English-language sources. As a government institute, leadership roles are typically appointed by the Ministry of Science and ICT, with a focus on experienced nuclear scientists and engineers. KAERI’s organizational structure emphasizes research divisions over individual public-facing figures. Due to the lack of verified personal X handles or detailed bios in accessible sources, this section remains limited. Interested parties can refer to the official website for potential updates on leadership [KAERI Official Website](https://www.kaeri.re.kr/eng/). ### Funding and Financial Position As a government-funded research institute, KAERI does not operate on a traditional venture funding model or report public financials like a corporation. Its budget is allocated through South Korea’s national science and technology funding, overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Exact figures for total funding or recent allocations are not publicly disclosed in the latest available data. KAERI is not a revenue-generating entity in the commercial sense but focuses on technology development and transfer to industry partners for practical applications. There are no known institutional investors or stock performance metrics since KAERI is not a public company. Strategic backing comes primarily from the South Korean government, with collaborative funding for specific projects often involving industry partners like Samsung Heavy Industries [KAERI Official Website](https://www.kaeri.re.kr/eng/). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 17, 2025 | FSMR Design Approval | Samsung Heavy Industries and KAERI received ABS Approval in Principle for a floating SMR platform featuring two SMART100 reactors [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/korean-floating-small-modular-reactor-design-approved). | | Oct 29, 2025 | Collaboration with University of Missouri | KAERI signed a General Agreement with Mizzou to expand joint efforts in nuclear science, radioisotope applications, and materials research [World Nuclear News](https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/kaeri-mizzou-expand-cooperation). | | Sep, 2025 | Participation in Nuclear Roadmap Conference | KAERI likely involved in discussions at the Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference in Paris, hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency [OECD-NEA](https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_109833/governments-industry-and-financiers-chart-roadmaps-to-new-nuclear-development). | | Jul 15, 2025 | Technology Development Update | KAERI reiterated its focus on nuclear innovation and radiation technology on its official site [KAERI Official Website](https://www.kaeri.re.kr/eng/). | | Mar, 2025 | Ongoing SMR Development | Continued progress on SMART100 applications, as noted in public discussions on social platforms [Posts on X](https://x.com/). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Samsung Heavy Industries**: Collaboration on the FSMR project, combining KAERI’s SMART100 reactor technology with Samsung’s expertise in marine engineering. This partnership enhances the strategic value of providing power solutions for remote and marine environments. - **University of Missouri (Mizzou)**: A General Agreement signed in October 2025 to advance joint research in nuclear science, radioisotope applications, and advanced computing. This partnership bolsters KAERI’s international research network and access to cutting-edge academic resources. - **South Korean Government**: As a state-funded entity, KAERI collaborates closely with governmental bodies on national energy policy, nuclear safety, and technology deployment, ensuring alignment with South Korea’s energy goals. These partnerships highlight KAERI’s role in bridging research with practical industrial and international applications [World Nuclear News](https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/kaeri-mizzou-expand-cooperation). ### New Hampshire Relevance KAERI’s technologies, particularly the SMART100 SMR and FSMR concepts, could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]] (NH), though direct connections are currently speculative. NH hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a 1,244 MWe nuclear power plant, and is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which faces challenges with energy reliability and decarbonization. KAERI’s SMRs, with their compact 100 MW output and safety features, could theoretically complement NH’s grid by providing distributed, low-carbon power near urban or industrial loads. However, technology readiness for NH deployment is likely a decade away, given the current design and licensing stage of KAERI’s SMRs, which are tailored primarily for the South Korean and international marine markets. NH’s legislative initiatives, such as HB 710 supporting nuclear energy exploration, align broadly with SMR development, but KAERI’s focus appears to be outside the U.S. market currently. Potential applications in NH could include grid power supplementation or industrial heat for manufacturing, though no specific interest in the Northeast U.S. or NH has been expressed in available data. Proximity to [[Seabrook Station]] could facilitate expertise sharing if KAERI were to pursue U.S. partnerships, but regulatory hurdles under the NRC would be significant barriers. ### Competitive Position KAERI competes with other global SMR developers such as [[NuScale Power]] (U.S.), which has an NRC-certified 50 MWe SMR design closer to commercial deployment, and [[Rosatom]] (Russia), which offers floating nuclear power plants like the Akademik Lomonosov already in operation. KAERI’s unique advantage lies in its government-backed research infrastructure and focus on marine applications with the FSMR, differentiating it from land-based SMR competitors. However, risks include slower international licensing processes compared to [[NuScale Power|NuScale]] and geopolitical barriers to market entry in regions like the U.S., where domestic or allied technologies may be prioritized. ### Closing Note KAERI remains a leading innovator in nuclear technology at the research and early deployment stage, with a promising trajectory in SMR and marine nuclear applications, though commercial scale-up is still years away. *Report generated December 24, 2025*