Industry ministry sets out seven-project technology agenda for South Korea

The industry ministry said Wednesday it set out a seven-project technology agenda to cultivate long-term growth engines for South Korea over the next 10 to 20 years. The government said the country's current lead in its main industries alone could not guarantee sustainable growth amid a rapidly changing technology environment.

The ministry held the meeting jointly with related ministries at Cheongwadae's Chungmu Room. Private-sector experts discussed the importance of energy technology and supply chains, while the science ministry presented plans for the seven projects. Models of a shipboard SMR, a quantum computer and a lunar-orbit satellite were displayed.

The program covers future clean energy, next-generation frontier technologies and advanced supply chains. The government said the clean-energy projects would address electricity demand rising with the AI revolution and carbon-neutrality challenges. They include small modular reactors, nuclear fusion and renewable energy; frontier projects cover quantum technology, space, aviation and advanced biotechnology. The supply-chain program covers critical minerals and materials, parts and equipment.

The government aims to commercialize light-water small modular reactor (SMR) designs by 2035 and begin construction of non-light-water versions in the 2030s. Public and private sectors will begin detailed SMR design work in 2027. SMRs can be manufactured in factories and assembled on site, and the ministry described them as a carbon-free energy source for rising electricity demand. The government plans to speed up demonstration by centrally operating large facilities and equipment and using technologies including digital twins. It also plans a jointly funded public-private special-purpose company for non-light-water SMRs from the early development stage to pursue the global market, as well as a technology-neutral, performance-based regulatory framework for various designs by 2030. A government-wide task force will identify and improve legal and institutional bottlenecks to SMR use in industrial complexes, marine, defense and space applications.

On supply chains, the government aims to raise the recycling rate for 10 critical minerals to 20 percent by 2030. It will invest 10 trillion won ($7.07 billion) in research and development over five years for items requiring stronger capabilities.