South Korea's Nuclear Know-How is Just What ASEAN Needs
As ASEAN countries are starting to explore nuclear energy to meet rising energy demands, developing the human resources and workforce needed to support safe and secure nuclear power programs remains a key challenge across the region. With advanced nuclear technology and long experience nurturing human capital, South Korea is poised to be an ideal partner in helping ASEAN build the skilled manpower needed to harness nuclear energy safely and efficiently. South Korea can help these countries avoid pitfalls and accelerate the development of the required workforce. By tapping South Korea's expertise, ASEAN can develop the qualified workforce essential for successful nuclear energy programs
As countries in the ASEAN region, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, actively seek to meet rising energy demands, nuclear power is emerging as an option to diversify energy mixes and reduce carbon emissions. By 2032, the Philippines aims to have its first operational nuclear power plant, while Indonesia has set its target for 2039, if not sooner. However, developing the human resources and workforce needed to support safe and secure nuclear power programs remains a key challenge across the region.
Nuclear energy programs require the establishment of domestic expertise and competence. While introducing nuclear technology to a country may initially rely on foreign skills, developing national human resources is essential for sustainability and reducing dependence. The nuclear sector encompasses various business areas, including construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning, research and development, all of which require specialized personnel.
Expertise is especially crucial for regulatory bodies to establish standards, licensing processes, inspections, and oversight to ensure safety amidst the complexity of nuclear systems. Competent professionals in all areas are among the most vital factors for the success of nuclear projects.
South Korea has emerged as a leader in nuclear energy development in Asia. With 25 reactors generating about one-third of the country's electricity, South Korea has developed extensive knowledge and human capital in operating and maintaining nuclear power plants. This puts the country in a strong position to assist Southeast Asian nations that are looking to develop their own nuclear energy programs and train skilled workforces.
South Korea's Success Story in Nuclear energy Development
When the construction of South Korea’s first commercial nuclear power plant began in 1972, the country’s per-capita income was slightly lower than that of North Korea. With such a relatively small industrial base, South Korea’s plans to finance and operate a nuclear power plant could have been considered overly ambitious, and its long-term plans to master the new technology might have seemed unrealistic.
Several countries in the world have successfully established an infrastructure to develop and operate nuclear power plants (NPPs). Most advanced countries, including the USA, France, Japan, the Russian Federation, Germany, and Canada, started their nuclear power programs from strong social, economic, and industrial infrastructures. Unlike these countries, Korea initiated its nuclear power program under devastated conditions after the Korean War's Ceasefire Agreement in 1953. Korea is unique in starting a nuclear power program from similar economic situations as developing countries like the Philippines, Pakistan, former Yugoslavia, Brazil, and Mongolia.
In 1961, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) was formed by merging three existing electric companies to support the first five-year economic development plan that began in 1962. Up to 1964, the Atomic Energy Development (AED) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) concentrated on the medical and agricultural use of radioactive isotopes.
In 1971, the construction of the first NPP commenced on a turnkey basis and started its commercial operation 7 years later. The first of these turn-key units, Kori 1, began operating in 1978, in which the foreign supplier delivered a completed plant with minimal Korean industry input. Wolsong 1 and Kori 2, coming online in 1983, were also turn-key units, with all major components and construction services provided primarily by non-Korean companies.
With KEPCO’s initiative in the national nuclear power programs, the first three NPPs were constructed on turnkey contracts. From the 4th NPP, KEPCO developed the NPP localization plan by starting a non-turnkey basis contract for the NPP and gradually increased the role of domestic industry but as subcontractors to foreign main contractors. Since this stage, the Korean technology transfer approach has started in an approach that can be best described by ‘‘On the Job Training’’ and ‘‘On the Job Participation’’ under the direction of foreign suppliers. Korea established a monopoly architectural engineering (AE) company and launched the HCI development plan with a system of joint design with the main foreign supplier. In addition, Korea gradually established a localized company for design, engineering, and producing components. Each company, including a research institute, was assigned the localization project of an NPP. Private enterprises are also involved in developing components of an NPP under the thoroughness of quality assurance and control of the foreign supplier. All involved foreign companies were required to work with domestic industry with the contract term of ensuring that a certain level of localization. The localization strategies were carried out in close collaboration with foreign vendors for the development of a standardized NPP for Korea. With the growing experience of construction, operation, and localization, KEPCO undertook the main contractor’s role for the 10th NPP in 1987 .
With the increase in workload for safety regulation due to multiple unit applications, Korea realized the need for a competent regulatory body. The Nuclear Safety Center was established under the Korea Atomic Research Institute (KAERI) in 1981. It continued expansions and became independent from KAERI in 1990 as the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS). KINS has been in charge of technical advice, support, evaluations, and activities in support of the ultimate decision making and approval by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. In 1989, Korea committed to constructing the first localized nuclear power plant based on accumulated experiences and technology. The first localized plant, designated as OPR1000 (formerly called Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plant), was commissioned in 1995.
Because of this successful localization policy, Korea had already built the eight localized NPPs, OPR1000, and developed an innovative Generation III+ plant, APR1400. Over subsequent decades, South Korea's nuclear energy sector has witnessed substantial growth, transforming the nation into an exporter of nuclear technology. The indigenous APR1400 reactor design, deployed at the Shin-Kori nuclear plant with units 3 and 4 completed in 2016 and 2019, represents a significant advancement. Boasting a generation capacity of 1400 MW and a design lifetime of 60 years, the APR1400 surpasses the capabilities of Generation III reactors. Notably, this Korean design has obtained regulatory certification in Europe and the United States, affirming its safety and technological excellence.
In the international arena, South Korea has taken strides by constructing four APR1400 units at the Barakah nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first export of this Korean model. The contract for the four-unit Barakah plant, valued at around $20 billion, not only showcased South Korea's technological prowess but also established a potential template for future exports. Awarded over competitors Areva and General Electric-Hitachi, the contract underscored South Korea's competitiveness in the global nuclear energy landscape.
Potential Benefits for ASEAN
In particular, South Korea could provide an ideal partnership for ASEAN countries that are starting to explore nuclear energy. By sharing its decades of experience building up nuclear expertise, South Korea can help these countries avoid pitfalls and accelerate the development of the required workforce.
One of South Korea's key strengths is its investment in education and training specialized nuclear engineers and technicians. The country recognizes that a knowledgeable and skilled human resource pool is essential for the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities. South Korea established several universities that offer nuclear energy curriculums and degrees, including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS), and UNIST.
South Korea can share its curriculum and teaching best practices with emerging ASEAN nuclear countries. This can help these nations set up similar nuclear education programs and fast track the training of plant operators, regulators, researchers and other experts essential for the nuclear energy sector.
In addition, South Korea's top nuclear companies and research institutes can provide workforce training and development opportunities. They can set up technical training centers focused on developing hands-on skills for plant maintenance, operation and quality control. South Korean experts can also be brought in as advisors and instructors.
The regulatory and oversight know-how accumulated by South Korea's nuclear institutions can also help ASEAN members establish effective, up-to-date regulatory frameworks for their nuclear energy industries. South Korea can provide guidance on following international best practices in nuclear safety and compliance.
With advanced nuclear technology and long experience nurturing human capital, South Korea is poised to be an ideal partner in helping ASEAN build the skilled manpower needed to harness nuclear energy safely and efficiently. By tapping South Korea's expertise, ASEAN can develop the qualified workforce essential for successful nuclear energy programs.
