Research Reactors Role in KOREA

Abstract

Since TRIGA MARK-II was constructed in 1962, new research activity utilizing neutron had prevailed on the all science field in Korea. Radioisotopes produced from the MARK-II played a good role in 1960s to educate people what the neutron is. As research reactor implanted the neutron science in the country, another TRIGA MARK-III had to be constructed within 10 years after importing the first reactor due to increased neutron demand from nuclear community. This kind of research environment utilizing research reactor however, came to be cooled down by means of abrupt nuclear power plant project. For a while research activities were almost oriented to nuclear power plant technology and its localization. However, the localization of nuclear power plant technology caused to require more highly capable research reactor like HANARO 30MWt. HANARO will meet all the engineering tests and nuclear programs with high performance in the future.