🚨 Nuclear Technology Sovereignty

Today Korean Social News for Beginners | 2025.08.19

0️⃣ Czech Nuclear Plant Contract and US Technology Dependence Issues

📌 Korea hands over core nuclear technology rights to US company for Czech nuclear plant contract... "Nuclear sovereignty concerns"

💬 An agreement between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Korea Electric Power Corporation with US company Westinghouse for the Czech nuclear plant contract is causing controversy. By handing over core equipment and fuel supply rights worth about 900 billion won per nuclear reactor to the US side, critics say Korean companies' share in overseas nuclear plant projects has greatly decreased. Especially concerning is that even Small Modular Reactors (SMR) must go through US verification procedures for export, which could limit Korea's independent export of i-SMR technology currently under development. Experts warn that this agreement could weaken Korea's nuclear technology sovereignty in the long term.

💡 Summary

• Nuclear technology sovereignty is the right to independently own and use core nuclear power plant technologies.
• Korea handed over core equipment and fuel supply rights to US company Westinghouse during the Czech nuclear plant contract process.
• Even Small Modular Reactors now require US verification procedures, raising concerns about limitations on Korea's independent technology exports.

1️⃣ Definition

Nuclear technology sovereignty means a country's right to independently own and use core technologies when designing, building, operating, and exporting nuclear power plants. This goes beyond simply building nuclear plants - it means having the ability to independently control the entire nuclear industry value chain, including reactor design technology, nuclear fuel supply chains, safety systems, and core component manufacturing.

Since nuclear power plants operate for decades as national infrastructure, without technology sovereignty, normal operation becomes difficult without foreign companies' permission or parts supply. Therefore, nuclear technology sovereignty is a crucial national capability directly connected to energy security.

💡 Why is this important?

• It's a key factor that determines national energy security and power supply stability.
• It decides real economic benefits and technology accumulation opportunities when exporting nuclear plants.
• It's the right to freely develop and export nuclear plants without foreign companies' technology restrictions.
• It's essential for future nuclear technology development and maintaining the industrial ecosystem.

2️⃣ Current Status and Limitations of Korea's Nuclear Technology Sovereignty

📕 Korea-US Nuclear Agreement and Technology Restrictions

• The Korea-US Nuclear Agreement restricts the basic framework. Key contents include:

  • This agreement, first signed in 1974 and continuing today, defines the scope of Korea's nuclear power use.
  • It restricts independent development of sensitive nuclear technologies like uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
  • US consent is required when exporting nuclear plants using US original technology to third countries.
  • Korea shows considerable dependence on US companies in nuclear fuel supply and processing.

• Technology conflicts with Westinghouse continue. Main problems include:

  • Legal disputes arose over ownership and usage rights of original technology during APR1400 development.
  • Westinghouse continues to claim rights over parts where their technology was used.
  • Technology usage fees and approval procedures are required for each overseas export.
  • This Czech nuclear plant agreement is an extension of this technology dependence relationship.

📕 Key Issues in the Czech Nuclear Plant Agreement

• Core equipment supply rights were handed over to the US. Main contents include:

  • Westinghouse will supply a significant portion of high-value equipment like reactor pressure vessels and steam generators.
  • About 900 billion won worth of core facility supply rights per nuclear reactor goes to US companies.
  • Westinghouse will also handle nuclear fuel supply, earning continuous profits throughout the operation period.
  • Korean companies will focus on relatively low-value areas like civil engineering and construction.

• Even Small Modular Reactors face restrictions. Main concerns include:

  • The agreement specifies that Korea's i-SMR under development also requires US verification procedures for export.
  • This could hinder Korea's independent SMR technology development and export.
  • SMR is a key area in the future nuclear plant market where securing technology sovereignty is very important.
  • Korea's SMR competitiveness may be structurally restricted due to agreement clauses.

💡 Main Problems of Weakened Nuclear Technology Sovereignty

1. Worsened profit structure: Foreign companies monopolize high-value equipment and fuel supply rights
2. Reduced technology accumulation opportunities: Limited participation opportunities for domestic companies in core technology areas
3. Future technology restrictions: Difficulties in independent development and export of next-generation nuclear technologies like SMR
4. Industrial ecosystem decline: Weakened foundation for nuclear-related SMEs and R&D personnel
5. Reduced negotiating power: Increased possibility of accepting unfavorable conditions in future nuclear plant contracts

3️⃣ Technology Independence Plans and Future Outlook

✅ Efforts for Nuclear Technology Independence

• Domestic technology development and verification are needed. Main directions include:

  • Research and development investment should be expanded for complete independence in reactor design technology.
  • The localization rate of core parts and materials should be increased to reduce overseas dependence.
  • Next-generation nuclear technologies like SMR and fast reactors should be developed with independent technology from the start.
  • The technological capabilities and competitiveness of the domestic nuclear industry ecosystem should be systematically strengthened.

• Diversifying international cooperation is important. Main strategies include:

  • Technology cooperation with nuclear advanced countries other than the US should be expanded.
  • Technology alternatives should be prepared through joint R&D with France, Canada, and others.
  • Korea-led technology standards should be spread in nuclear exports to emerging countries.
  • Korea's influence should be expanded in the global standardization process of nuclear technology.

✅ Government and Industry Response Plans

• Policy support and system improvements are needed. Main tasks include:

  • Long-term and consistent policy implementation is needed for nuclear technology independence.
  • R&D budget expansion and professional personnel training programs should be strengthened.
  • Tax support and financial benefits should be provided to improve domestic nuclear industry technology.
  • Negotiation strategies that prioritize securing technology sovereignty in nuclear exports should be established.

• Industry roles and cooperation are important. Main directions include:

  • A system for technology sharing and mutual growth between large and small companies should be built.
  • Industry-academia-research cooperation among nuclear-related research institutes and universities should be strengthened.
  • Export competitiveness should be secured through technology verification in the domestic nuclear market.
  • Proactive capabilities should be built in new technology areas like nuclear decommissioning and waste treatment.

4️⃣ Related Terms

🔎 APR1400

• APR1400 is a large nuclear plant model independently developed by Korea.
  • APR1400 (Advanced Power Reactor 1400) is a 1400MW pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant that Korea developed from the late 1990s. It's classified as a 3rd generation nuclear plant that greatly improved safety and economics based on the existing Korean Standard Nuclear Plant (KSNP) technology.
  • Key features of APR1400 include: First, improved safety systems that greatly reduced the probability of severe accidents. Second, improved economics that reduced construction and operation costs. Third, a 60-year design life, extended from the previous 40 years. Fourth, introduction of digital instrumentation and control systems that increased operational efficiency.
  • However, APR1400 still uses some of Westinghouse's original technology in core technologies, so there are limits to complete technology independence. Although it was successfully exported to the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant, constraints like technology usage fee payments and approval procedures continue.

🔎 Small Modular Reactor (SMR)

• Small Modular Reactors are a key area of next-generation nuclear technology.
  • Small Modular Reactor (SMR) refers to nuclear plants with electrical output of 300MW or less, manufactured in modular form at factories and assembled on-site. Unlike existing large nuclear plants, they can be factory-produced with standardized designs, greatly reducing construction time and costs.
  • Main advantages of SMR include: First, passive safety systems that automatically shut down safely even without external power. Second, construction periods of 3-5 years, about half that of existing nuclear plants. Third, low initial investment suitable for small to medium-scale power demand. Fourth, adjustable power generation capacity through module combinations.
  • Korea is developing i-SMR (innovative SMR) with the goal of commercialization by 2030. However, due to this agreement with Westinghouse, SMR exports also require US verification procedures, raising concerns about constraints on independent technology development and export.

🔎 Nuclear Fuel Cycle

• The nuclear fuel cycle refers to the entire process of nuclear plant operation.
  • The nuclear fuel cycle refers to the entire lifecycle of nuclear fuel from uranium mining to processing into nuclear plant fuel, use, storage, and treatment. Each stage of this process requires advanced technology and special facilities, and especially enrichment and reprocessing technologies are strictly controlled internationally as they are also related to nuclear weapons.
  • Main stages of the nuclear fuel cycle include: First, uranium mining and refining to extract natural uranium. Second, uranium enrichment to increase the concentration of fissile uranium-235. Third, fuel rod manufacturing to process enriched uranium into nuclear plant fuel. Fourth, using fuel in reactors. Fifth, storing or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.
  • Korea depends considerably on foreign countries for much of the nuclear fuel cycle. Especially uranium enrichment depends entirely on imports, and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is also restricted by the Korea-US Nuclear Agreement, limiting technology sovereignty.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Korea says it developed nuclear technology independently, so why does it need to depend on US companies?

A: Korea has secured considerable independent technology, but still depends on the US in some core technologies.

• Korea has gradually accumulated technology since introducing nuclear plants in the 1970s and developed its own model called APR1400. However, nuclear plants are mega-projects combining tens of thousands of parts and complex systems, so developing all technologies completely independently is very difficult. First, since Korea started with Westinghouse technology when initially introducing nuclear plants, a significant portion of the original technology belongs to the US. Second, Korea still depends on US technology in core parts of reactor design and safety systems. Third, nuclear fuel supply and related technologies are monopolized by a few companies internationally, limiting choices.
• Therefore, for Korea to secure true nuclear technology sovereignty, it needs to build independent capabilities in these core technology areas, which is a long-term task requiring considerable time and investment.

Q: What problems arise if nuclear technology sovereignty weakens?

A: Various problems can occur including energy security risks, economic losses, and hindered technology development.

• Weakened nuclear technology sovereignty can cause serious problems in multiple dimensions. First, in terms of energy security, nuclear plant operations could face difficulties if foreign companies stop parts supply or refuse technical support. Second, economically, when exporting nuclear plants, foreign companies take core parts and fuel supply rights, greatly reducing Korea's actual profits. Third, in terms of technology development, participation opportunities for domestic companies and researchers in core technology areas are limited, potentially degrading long-term technological competitiveness. Fourth, in terms of industrial ecosystem, growth opportunities for nuclear-related SMEs and parts companies decrease, potentially weakening the entire industrial foundation.
• Especially if overseas dependence increases in next-generation nuclear technologies like SMR, Korea's competitiveness in the future nuclear market could greatly decline.

Q: How do other countries secure nuclear technology sovereignty?

A: Each country uses different strategies, with long-term investment and policy commitment being key.

• Nuclear technology sovereignty approaches differ by country. First, the US maintains its position as a technology exporter with domestic companies like Westinghouse and GE owning original technologies. Second, France built a complete self-reliance system through state-led nuclear industry development, with Areva (now Framatome) handling everything from design to fuel in the entire cycle. Third, Russia secures strong technology sovereignty with Rosatom as a state enterprise comprehensively managing all processes of nuclear exports. Fourth, China initially introduced foreign technology but gradually focused on independent technology development, developing its own models like Hualong One.
• The common point among these countries is strong government commitment, long-term investment, and policies protecting domestic industrial ecosystems. Korea also needs to establish systematic technology independence strategies by referring to these cases.

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