Atomic Energy Since establishing the "Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Team" Korea's Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) has been proactively lending its full support to linking domestic nuclear energy technology to exports. The Ministry has meanwhile been pursuing external atomic energy projects with priority given to policy as well as technological collaboration, but plans to reinforce supportive activities for export of products and services related to atomic energy through systematic assistance and management on export corporations for the future. Director General Lee Mun-ki of the Atomic Energy Bureau, MOST, explained in an exclusive interview with The Korea IT Times: "Considering the huge scale of the nuclear energy industry, it is important to link our technological competence with export", adding that the Bureau would invigorate export business of domestic industries through an exclusive organization for the future. Best efforts for active export business talks Regarding the background of the establishment of the Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Team, Lee said: "Our country is propelling commercialization of nuclear technology through a large-sized national R&D practicalization project as well as nuclear energy R&D projects and simultaneously, driving forward export of products which we attained through these projects". Since the government's systematic support is crucial in developing atomic energy technology as well as in expanding the non-generation field, based on our country's excellent atomic energy technology and experience of independent development, this Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Team was established within Atomic Energy Bureau, MOST, he explained. In regard of this team's operational direction, the Director General noted that MOST already is constructing an assessment system on the enormous scale of our country's atomic energy industry through research on actual conditions of the atomic energy industry as well as a realistic research on the radiation use. Accordingly, he pointed out the importance of identifying the potential enterprises or promising items for export from domestic materials secured through such system and of securing analysis technology as well as know-how which can pioneer market from overseas materials. "First off," Lee said, "to map out strategies suitable to each field, the Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Team is looking forward to carry out a research on the actual conditions of atomic energy export performances to date, profile of existing atomic energy technology export items, and a survey on promising items." Through overseas market surveys, the team is scheduled to excavate nations and buyers which make up the potential client base for export, he remarked, adding that if necessary, MOST will support to initiate the active export business talks through roadshows or overseas marketing programs. Energy collaboration agreements with 18 countries According to Lee, Korea has concluded atomic energy collaboration agreements with 18 countries to date and on these bases, is holding atomic energy joint committees with 12 countries. Lee emphasized, "Considering that policy decision-maker's influence is of paramount importance to export of atomic energy technology, we are publicizing our country's technology by utilizing channels between governments such as invitations of foreign governments' high-ranking officials and will further reinforce such activities." The Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Team further is due to secure competitive advantages by supporting necessary feasibility study and manpower nurturing for the purpose of introducing atomic energy plants to developing countries. At the same time if necessary, Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Delegation can be operated, being composed of the government, associated companies as well as experts in the interests of organic cooperation system separately from The Atomic Energy Technology Export Support Team within the government, Lee said. For reference, Korea has concluded atomic energy collaboration agreements with 18 nations including the United States., Canada, Spain, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, England, China, Argentina, Vietnam, Turkey, Russia, Czech, Egypt, Brazil and Romania. More conspicuously, in efforts to expand the bilateral cooperation with these countries, Korea has been holding regular atomic energy joint committees with 12 nations: the United States, Canada, England, France, Australia, Japan, China, Russia, Chile, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Thailand. Decisive role of policy decision-maker for nuclear introduction As regarding Korea's atomic energy technology assessment, Lee explains: "40% of the national electricity production is supplied by nuclear energy and particularly, coefficient of utilization for Korea's atomic power station far exceeds the global average of 79% by over 90%, posting the sixth output in the world". Korea has been actively promoting independence of atomic energy technology since the 1960s for the purpose of energy independence and by propelling development of 1,000MW notch's Korea standardmodel nuclear OPR-1000 at the end of the 1980s, currently six nuclear power plants of which are in successful operation. In addition, by commencing APR-1400 development, 1,400MW notch new model light-water reactor, since 1992, this got standard design approval from MOST on May, 2002, according to Lee. The Director General stressed that Korea's nuclear technology level has thus been raised to a considerable level, adding that moreover, in developing countries, Korea is being recognized as a country which accomplished economic growth successfully and experienced self-reliance of nuclear energy technology. In that context, Lee emphasized that it is very important to publicize our several cutting- edges to countries which are considering introduction of nuclear power plants. Lee, who explained that the degree of favorable feelings toward Korean products is high in foreign countries today, says that the prevailing view in Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and as well as Europe, is that Made-in-Korea product including Korea's Samsung, LG and Hyundai Motor Company is high in the light of its quality. As the value of Korean IT brands is ever so high, its fame seems to be of help to nuclear field too, he said. What we should lay more emphasis for the development of nuclear energy industry, is rightly constructing infrastructure, he insists, referring to the fact that as a matter of fact, Korea is in a state, in which its know-how now was not sufficiently accumulated and the role between the government and the private is not well classified alike. Lee maintains that the connection between the government and the private companies is by all means necessary, citing the example of Japan, if a nuclear power plant is built, large companies in which took part, take charge of its maintenance and repair. In this regard, the Director General concluded with the remark that for Korea, it is a new beginning for overseas nuclear marketing.