• Launch of the SMR Development Promotion Committee, a control tower for SMRs led by MSIT
• Introduction of new provisions to improve the regulatory framework for greater efficiency and rationalization of SMR-related policies
• Establishment of legal grounds for strengthening support for public-private R&D and demonstration, and designation of SMR R&D special districts
• Mobilization of national capabilities to secure a leading position in the global SMR market in the 2030s

【Relevant National Tasks】

• 28. Nurturing next-generation (NEXT) strategic technologies that lead the world.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister: Bae Kyung-hoon) announced that the bill for the Special Act on the Promotion and Support of Small Modular Reactor Development (“SMR Special Act”) passed the National Assembly’s plenary session on February 12.

Amid a recent surge in electricity demand driven by AI and data centers, and the need to achieve carbon neutrality, SMRs are gaining global attention as a carbon-free energy source. Accordingly, countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have enacted relevant legislation to support the rapid development and deployment of SMRs. 

In Korea, however, the nuclear regulatory framework has been centered on large-scale reactors, and a dedicated law to support SMRs has been lacking. The nuclear industry had consistently called for the enactment of a special act to ensure policy consistency for SMRs and accelerate related R&D. With the passage of the SMR Special Act through the National Assembly, the nuclear industry’s long-standing aspiration has been fulfilled.

The SMR Special Act bill passed by the National Assembly was formed by consolidating three SMR-related bills introduced to the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee into a single bill through bipartisan agreement during the legislative review process. The passage of the bill is expected to accelerate R&D and demonstration of SMRs, providing a key foundation for Korea to secure a leading position in the global SMR market.

The main provisions of the SMR Special Act include establishing the basic and implementation plans for SMR development; forming and operating the SMR Development Promotion Committee; improving SMR-related systems; supporting R&D and demonstration of SMRs; strengthening public-private cooperation; designating SMR R&D special districts; nurturing professionals; promoting international cooperation; and implementing measures to secure social acceptance. Details are as follows.

①  Establishing the Basic and Implementation Plans for SMRs (Articles 5 – 7)

MSIT will establish the Basic Plan for SMR System Development every five years to systematically promote the development of SMR systems. The Basic Plan includes policy goals for SMR development, R&D strategies, measures to secure financial resources, and initiatives to foster the relevant ecosystem. To enhance the effectiveness of the Basic Plan, MSIT will also establish an implementation plan each year and regularly review its progress, thereby ensuring policy consistency and speedy implementation.

②  Forming and Operating the SMR Development Promotion Committee (Article 8)

The SMR Development Promotion Committee will be established under the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to review and approve major matters related to SMR system development. Chaired by the Minister of MSIT, the committee will serve as a control tower for cross-government SMR R&D policies. In addition to establishing the Basic Plan, the committee will make major decisions for the rapid development of SMRs including R&D, demonstration, designation of special districts, talent development, and international cooperation.

③  Improving SMR-related Systems (Article 9)

This article stipulates the legal grounds for improving SMR-related legislation and institutional frameworks. According to this article, the government must consistently review and improve relevant legislation and policies in response to rapidly evolving SMR technologies and changing domestic and international environments. In particular, when necessary, the Minister of MSIT may recommend that the heads of relevant central administrative agencies revise related legislation and institutional systems. Through this process, the government plans to identify gaps in the current system and improve them to ensure that institutional frameworks keep pace with advances in SMR technologies.

④  Supporting R&D and demonstration of SMRs (Articles 10 – 11)

The government will strengthen support for R&D and demonstration of SMRs to rapidly secure SMR technologies. To this end, it will assist private companies and research institutions with SMR development capabilities in securing sites and necessary financial resources so that they can promptly demonstrate their technologies. The government will also provide administrative, financial, and technical support to ensure that they can use public research facilities and equipment. These efforts are expected to serve as a catalyst for private companies, as key players in SMR development, to demonstrate and commercialize technologies demanded by the market in a timely manner.

⑤  Cooperating with Private Companies (Article 12)

The government may support the establishment of companies jointly funded by private companies and public institutions. It may also support the establishment and operation of SMR-related research associations to enable multiple private companies to work together to develop SMR technologies. Through these efforts, the government aims to strengthen the public-private cooperation framework for SMR development, and actively encourage participation from the private sector.

⑥ Designating SMR R&D Special Districts (Article 13)

The Minister of MSIT may designate regions where universities, research institutions, and companies engaged in SMR development are concentrated as “SMR System R&D Special Districts”. This designation is expected to maximize clustering effects by facilitating communication and cooperation among SMR-related entities and to establish regional hubs for SMR R&D and demonstration. The roles of these R&D special districts and support measures for tenant companies will be specified in detail in a Presidential Decree to be prepared at a later stage.

⑦  Nurturing Professionals (Article 14)

To secure highly qualified professionals who will lead the development and demonstration of SMR technologies, the government may designate institutions for nurturing talent and provide financial support for education and training programs. According to this article, the government will foster a pool of world-class SMR experts by developing education programs based on mid- and long-term human resource demand and dispatching personnel to nuclear-related international organizations and domestic and international research institutions.

⑧  Promoting International Cooperation on SMRs (Article 15)

The government shall develop measures to promote international joint research on SMRs and strengthen international cooperation for the development of global technical standards. It may cooperate with international organizations including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to promote the internationalization of SMR-related technical standards and may support standardization projects led by the private sector.

⑨  Implementing Measures to Secure Social Acceptance (Article 16)

The government will implement various measures to enhance public understanding of SMRs and increase public acceptance. It will raise awareness that SMRs are safe and reliable technologies by promoting the safety of SMRs and by developing and distributing educational content. By doing so, the government aims to build social consensus on the need to promote SMR technologies.

The SMR Special Act bill will be promulgated after approval by the Cabinet and the President and will take effect six months after promulgation. Prior to the enforcement of the Act, MSIT will prepare the necessary subordinate legislation without delay and establish the 1st Basic Plan for SMR Development within one year after the Act’s entry into force. In addition, MSIT plans to work with private companies to complete the design and development of core SMR technologies and to launch a new large-scale project to accelerate the transition to the commercialization stage.

“The passage of the SMR Special Act bill by the National Assembly is a meaningful achievement reflecting the commitment of the National Assembly and the government to accelerate the development of SMRs, a key energy source in the AI era, and to position Korea as a global leader in SMRs,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae. “MSIT will devise strategies to systematically promote the development and demonstration of SMRs, and will swiftly implement measures to accelerate progress by significantly expanding financial support for SMR R&D.”