Japan-Korea Nuclear Experts Meeting (April 18~19, 2011)

 'Japan-Korea Nuclear Experts Meeting', organized by Professor Soon Heung Chang of the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, was held at KAIST from April 18 to 19, 2011. Present at the meeting were some 20 top nuclear experts from both countries including Professor Emeritus Yoichi Fuji-ie of the Tokyo Institute of Technology (former chairperson of the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission).



The nuclear experts from both nations discussed policy and strategy on nuclear plant, nuclear fuel cycle, andfast reactor system, and further discussed nuclear energy education, nuclear academia-industry cooperation, etc. while analyzing and assessing the Fukushima crisis.



They presented a summary of their meeting at a press conference on April 19, 2011.

Summary Statement of Japan-Korea Nuclear Experts Meeting

The Japan-Korea Nuclear Experts Meeting which was held at KAIST from April 18 to April 19 conducted intensive discussions on the future direction of nuclear energy development and the participants agreed with the following overall conclusions:

1. Nuclear energy is still the most important energy source until alternate energy sources are fully developed, and it is essential for energy security as well as environmental protection.

2. The necessity to enhance the safety of the existing nuclear power plants is a lesson learned from the Fukushima accident. It is important to define "how safe is safe enough" to protect the public health and safety. Furthermore, it is essential to employ as much passive safety features as practical for the next generation light water reactors.

3. The importance of the safety management of nuclear spent fuels is another lesson learned from the Fukushima accident.

4. The development of the Generation-IV reactors, such as Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor is essential to realize sustainable nuclear energy with high level of safety (a lesson learned from Fukushima). The commercialization of the Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor and its associated fuel cycle would contribute to the reduction of the LWR spent fuel inventory and a simpler nuclear waste disposal.

 5. Finally, the importance of the international nuclear cooperation and information exchange in the field of nuclear reactor safety and advanced reactor development is recognized not only in Japan and Korea but also in China and other Asian countries.

April 19, 2011