Nuclear Power Experts Share Roles and Tasks in AI Era

Deputy Prime Minister-Minister Bae Kyung-hoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Vice Minister Lee Ho-hyun of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), Chmn. Choi Won-ho of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), Chmn. Kim Hyun-kwon of the High-level Radioactive Waste Management Commission, Acting President Chun Dae-wook of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Vice Chairman Jung Yeon-in of Doosan Enerbility and Chmn. Choi Sung-min of the Korea Nuclear Society participates in the “2026 New Year’s Gathering for Nuclear Power Circles” at Westin Chosun in Seoul on Jan. 30. (Photo: MSIT)

Korean nuclear power experts have reconfirmed the nuclear power sector’s roles and tasks in the era of AI and the process of responding to carbon neutrality.

Dignitaries from the government, industry, academia and research circles assembled in one place and discussed ways of promoting stable growth of the Korean nuclear power industry and ramping up global competitiveness.

The Korea Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF) hosted “2026 New Year’s Gathering for Nuclear Power Circles” under the theme “Nuclear Power Opening an AI Era” at Westin Chosun in Seoul on Jan. 30. The event was attended by some 300 people.

Among those on hand were Deputy Prime Minister-Minister Bae Kyung-hoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Vice Minister Lee Ho-hyun of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), Chmn. Choi Won-ho of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), Chmn. Kim Hyun-kwon of the High-level Radioactive Waste Management Commission, Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu of the National Assembly Trade, Industry, Resources, SMEs and Startups committee and Rep. Choi Hyung-doo of the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee.

Among those on hand from industry circles were Acting President Chun Dae-wook of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Vice Chairman Jung Yeon-in of Doosan Enerbility and Chmn. Choi Sung-min of the Korea Nuclear Society.

Acting KHNP President Chun said, “Last year, we made achievements, such as a go-head to the operation of Saeul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, an approval of the continued operation of Kori Nuclear Power Unit 2, an enact on a special act on treating high-level radwaste, winning of Czech nuclear power plant order and planned developing of the Korean Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR), and we have to raise public trust based on basic principles of safety and maintain technology innovation to strengthen our competitiveness in the global nuclear power market.”

In a speech at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and MSIT Minister Bae said, “The whole of the world is focusing on a strategic energy mix to address challenge of the times, caused by a surge in power demand amid climate change and AI, and global big tech companies are investing in SMR technologies to supply power to AI and datacenters, and MSIT plans to ramp up investments for the development of next-generation SMRs to make Korea the global SMR powerhouse.”

Nuclear power company attendees noted that a public consensus was being formed on the necessity of building new nuclear power units, citing outcomes of the government’s recent survey on public awareness of future energy needs.

The signing of an MOU between Korean and U.S. institutions on exporting nuclear power plants and cooperation was mentioned as one of the improving conditions of the Korean nuclear power industry.

Nuclear power industry experts shared their views on the necessity of strengthening technology capabilities to secure reliability through the safe operation of nuclear power units and cope with carbon neutrality and an AI era.

They shared a consensus on securing technologies on the flexible operation of nuclear power plants and expanding the nation’s entry into the global nuclear power market based on the stable supply of high-capacity power.

The Korean nuclear power industry evaluated that the government’s plan to push ahead with the construction of two new large-sized nuclear power units and one SMR in accordance with the 11th power supply master plan eased investment uncertainties. The industry put expectations on technology development, hiring manpower and normalizing exports.

KAIF plans to inaugurate a project to provide support to upgrade the nuclear power ecosystem this year.

It also plans to ramp up the competitiveness of nuclear power companies by continuing to implement nuclear power ecosystem financial support, nuclear power equipment and raw material advance payment guarantee insurance support and startup development projects.

Gov’t Reverses Steps to Phase Out Nuclear Power in AI Era

The government decided to push ahead with the construction of two new nuclear power units as originally scheduled, according to the 11th power supply master plan.

The current government, which had been reluctant to build new nuclear power units, changed its position, judging that only expanding of renewable energies cannot ensure stable supply of power amid the reality of a surging power demand, caused by the spread of AI and decarbonization.

The Lee Jae-myung government, which had declared a full review and undergone a public deliberation process for the construction of two new nuclear power plants, ultimately decided to proceed with the original plan.

Criticism has emerged that the political conduct of the energy ministry wasted time amid surging power demand from artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers.

MCEE Minister Kim Sung-hwan announced on Jan. 26, “We will proceed with the plan to build new nuclear reactors as outlined in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand.”

This decision followed a public opinion survey conducted by two polling agencies, which showed overwhelming support for nuclear power. Minister Kim acknowledged the results and stepped back from his previous stance.

The 11th master plan, established through bipartisan agreement last year, had included the construction of two new reactors and one small modular reactor.

The two 2.8-gigawatt reactors were scheduled for completion in 2037 and 2038, while the 0.7-GW SMR was to be introduced by 2035.