Seoul: Republic of Korea has secured a 52 million-euro (US$59.6 million) contract to supply a vital component for an international experimental fusion reactor currently under construction in France, the science ministry announced Thursday.
According to Lao News Agency, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed to deliver power supply systems for the reactor. This deal is part of Seoul's ongoing contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project. It builds on a previous procurement contract, under which Republic of Korea also provided power supply systems to the ITER initiative.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Republic of Korea will supply power converter systems for the reactor's superconducting magnets over a period of seven years and six months. The science ministry emphasized that South Korean companies involved in the earlier contract will also participate in this latest agreement, bringing more advanced design and manufacturing technology, along with their operational expertise.
A ministry official noted that this contract is anticipated to further strengthen Korea's position in the global technology ecosystem by leveraging its advanced design, manufacturing, and system integration capabilities, which have been honed in the ITER power supply sector.
Since joining the ITER project in 2007, Republic of Korea has developed core technologies through the procurement of nine essential components and equipment used in nuclear fusion reactors. This includes 61 patent applications and 52 registered patents, according to the ministry.
Overall, the country has secured contracts worth 1 trillion won (US$724.5 million) from the ITER organization and participating countries.