Global nuclear power experts participate in the 2016 KINGS Symposium, titled “Prospects for the Nuclear Power Industry in the Post-COP21 Era” atKepco International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) campus on Nov. 17. (Photos: KINGS)

KINGS President Oh See-kee delivers his welcoming speech at the symposium.

KINGS Symposium of 2016 titled “Prospects for the Nuclear Power Industry in the Post-COP21 Era” was held at KINGS campus on November 17. About 200 participants including leading partners who are the center of national nuclear power industry attended the  occasion. The symposium was aimed to provide a platform to both industry and academia to discuss the prospects of the international nuclear power industry and its direction for developing human resources in the post-COP21 era. The speakers were the members of KINGS International Advisory Board (IAB) and the executive members from KEPCO group companies. 

In the first session, Dr. Dale Klein, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Texas System and a Former Chairman of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), made a presentation on “The Impact of Fukushima Accident on the Safety Features of NPP.” And Dr. Regis Matzie, President of RAMatzie Nuclear Technology Consulting, LLC and a Former Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Westinghouse, spoke about “The U.S. Department of Energy’s New Look at Advanced Non-LWR and Future ALWR.” After that, Mr. Jik-lae Jo, Executive Senior Vice President, Nuclear Division, KEPCO E&C delivered a presentation on “Korean Nuclear Reactor Technology - Present and Future.”

In the second session, Mr. Jong-hyuck Park, Executive Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer, KEPCO, introduced “Current Status of the UAE Barakah Project.” Then, Dr. Bum Nyun Kim, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, KHNP made a presentation on “Operation & Management Strategies and Fleet Management.” Dr. Seung Jong Oh, Professor at KINGS, delivered a presentation on “APR 1400 - From Development to Deployment.” Finally,  Dr. Roger Stough, Professor & Associate Dean for Research & Executive Education, School of Public Policy, George Mason University, spoke about “Achieving Sustainable Change in Nuclear Education for the Post-COP21 Era”

In the following Q&A session, the speakers shared their thoughts about nuclear safety related to the magnitude 5.8 earthquake which has hit the city of Gyeongju, Gyeongbook Province, ROK.

In the final  panel session which was led by IAB chair, Dr. KunMo Chung, Dr. Dale Klein stated that tremendous drive of team Korea stood out in the UAE Barakah project. He emphasized that it is important time for team Korea to prepare vision for the future in order to fully utilize the experience from the Barakah project. Mr. Phumzile Tshelane, Chief Executive Officer, the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, and Mr. Muhamad Bin Lebai Juri, Director General, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, noted that they agree with the need for the KINGS curriculum and will actively reflect on Korea's nuclear power development experience in developing nuclear power plants in their countries."

President Oh highlighted  in his speech, "It is now time for Korean nuclear power industry to prepare for the deliberation and measures on the issue of how the international competitiveness can be sustained in the next 30 years," he added. "Through today's symposium, we are looking forward to understanding the current status of the world's nuclear energy industry and looking for ways to achieve sustainable change after the launch of the COP21 system.”

A scene for audiences at the symposium.