Beyond the Renovation

Preparation for Nuclear Program

1950s

  • - Officially launched national nuclear program
  • - Joined International Atomic Energy(IAEA) as a member state
  • - Enacted National Atomic Energy Act
  • - Founded Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute(KAERI)
  • - Started building the first research reactor, TRIGA MARK II

Planning for the 1st Commercial NPP

1960s

  • - Formed national electric power company, Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO)
  • - Developed the first 20 years long-term, national nuclear power development plan
  • - Embarked site evaluations and selections for the first nuclear power plant
  • - Commenced operation of the first research reactor, TRIGA MARK II
  • - Signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT)

Introduction of Nuclear Power

1970s

  • - Began construction and commenced commercial operation of the first nuclear power plant, Kori 1
  • - Formed Han-ah Industrial Management Co., Ltd(predecessor of KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering, KEPCO KPS, national plant services company)
  • - Ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT)
  • - Formed joint venture company, Korea Atomic Burns & Roe(predecessor of KEPCO Engineering & Construction, KEPCO E&C, national plant engineering company) with KAERI and US Burns & Roe

Promotion of Localization

1980s

  • - Established the nuclear regulatory body within KAERI
  • - Formed national fuel fabrication company KEPCO Nuclear Fuel(KNF)
  • - Initiated design work of HANARO*(Highly Advanced Neutron Application Reactor)
  • * High-performing multipurpose research reactor designed and built independently by KAERI

Technology Self-Reliance

1990s

  • - Established Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety(KINS)
  • - Commenced Operation of Korean research reactor, HANARO
  • - Developed first localized Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant, OPR1000
  • - Began construction and started commission of the first localized Korean Standard Nuclear power plant, Hanul 3
  • - Initiated design work of SMART(System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor)
  • - Established the project center for fusion research and development(predecessor of National Fusion Research Institute, NFRI)
  • - Signed Additional Protocol

Technology Advancement

2000s

  • - Formed national hydro & nuclear power plant operator, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.,Ltd(KHNP)
  • - Developed the Advanced Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant, APR1400
  • - Formed national radioactive waste management agency, Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD)
  • - Signed the contract of the Barakah nuclear power plant project with United Arab Emirates
  • - Official declaration for the first plasma occurrence of Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research Reactor(KSTAR)
  • - Ratified Additional Protocol
  • - Established Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control(KINAC)

Technology Renovation

2010s

  • - Developed advanced nuclear power plant models, APR+, EU-APR, and APR1000
  • - Exported HANARO to Jordan, SMART to Saudi Arabia
  • - Obtained a design certification(DC) for APR1400 nuclear power plant from the European Utility Requirements(EUR) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC)
  • 1950s

    Officially launched national nuclear program Joined International Atomic Energy(IAEA) as a member state Enacted National Atomic Energy Act Founded Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute(KAERI) Started building the first research reactor, TRIGA MARK II
  • 1960s

    Formed national electric power company, Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO) Developed the first 20 years long-term, national nuclear power development plan Embarked site evaluations and selections for the first nuclear power plant Commenced operation of the first research reactor, TRIGA MARK II Signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT)
  • 1970s

    Began construction and commenced commercial operation of the first nuclear power plant, Kori 1 Formed Han-ah Industrial Management Co., Ltd(predecessor of KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering, KEPCO KPS, national plant services company) Ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT) Formed joint venture company, Korea Atomic Burns & Roe(predecessor of KEPCO Engineering & Construction, KEPCO E&C, national plant engineering company) with KAERI and US Burns & Roe
  • 1980s

    Established the nuclear regulatory body within KAERI Formed national fuel fabrication company KEPCO Nuclear Fuel(KNF) Initiated design work of HANARO*(Highly Advanced Neutron Application Reactor) *High-performing multipurpose research reactor designed and built independently by KAERI
  • 1990s

    Established Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety(KINS) Commenced Operation of Korean research reactor, HANARO Developed first localized Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant, OPR1000 Began construction and started commission of the first localized Korean Standard Nuclear power plant, Hanul 3 Initiated design work of SMART(System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor) Established the project center for fusion research and development(predecessor of National Fusion Research Institute, NFRI) Signed Additional Protocol
  • 2000s

    Formed national hydro & nuclear power plant operator, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.,Ltd(KHNP) Developed the Advanced Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant, APR1400 Formed national radioactive waste management agency, Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) Signed the contract of the Barakah nuclear power plant project with United Arab Emirates Official declaration for the first plasma occurrence of Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research Reactor(KSTAR) Ratified Additional Protocol Established Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control(KINAC)
  • 2010s

    Developed advanced nuclear power plant models, APR+, EU-APR, and APR1000 Exported HANARO to Jordan, SMART to Saudi Arabia Obtained a design certification(DC) for APR1400 nuclear power plant from the European Utility Requirements(EUR) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC)