An institutional framework has been 마련ed to support small modular reactor (SMR) development, from research and development to demonstration and commercialisation, at the government-wide level.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said the Special Act on the Promotion and Support of Small Modular Reactor Development, and its enforcement decree, take effect from Sept. 11.

The SMR special act, enacted in March, sets out measures to systematically support SMR R&D and demonstration and to link R&D results to actual commercialisation and industry. The ministry will use the law’s implementation to speed up SMR technology development and commercialisation. Linked to the "seven SEED projects", the government and private sector will begin detailed SMR design jointly from 2027 and will operate large facilities and equipment in an integrated manner. The goal is to commercialise a light-water SMR by 2035 and to begin construction of a non-light-water SMR in the 2030s.

The enforcement decree sets out operating standards and procedures for systems under the SMR special act, including basic planning, running a promotion committee, public-private cooperation and research and development zones.

The ministry will first establish an "SMR system development basic plan" every 5 years and draw up annual implementation plans based on it. The basic plan will include policy goals and 추진 strategies, along with a nuclear fuel supply chain, securing public acceptance, training specialist personnel, supply-chain-related technology development, and measures to designate and operate SMR system R&D zones. The ministry will also review implementation of the basic plan every 5 years to prepare supplementary measures and will reflect annual implementation results in the following year’s plan.

It will also form the "SMR System Development Promotion Committee" to deliberate and coordinate major SMR development policies. The science minister will serve as chair. Vice-minister-level officials from 11 central government agencies will take part, including the science ministry, the industry ministry, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the defence ministry and the oceans ministry, along with at least 10 private-sector experts.

The committee will discuss technology development, demonstration, corporate cooperation, creation of special zones and institutional improvements related to various SMR applications, including power generation, ship propulsion and heat supply. The ministry will complete the composition of private committee members within the year and begin formal deliberations.

The decree also establishes grounds for support aimed at private-sector-led SMR commercialisation. The government can support the establishment of companies jointly funded by private firms and public institutions and can support related project costs within budget limits. It will also support the establishment of SMR research associations in which industry, academia and research institutions jointly pursue technology development and commercialisation. Support will cover not only R&D but also technology transfer and commercialisation, training specialist personnel, and shared use of facilities and equipment.

Regions where SMR-related universities, research institutes and companies are located can be designated as "SMR system research and development special zones". The government plans to establish an "SMR system R&D special zone development plan" after collecting opinions from local governments and industry.

It also set criteria for designating universities, research institutes and specialised bodies as training institutions to develop specialist personnel. To increase social acceptance of SMRs, it will also allow efforts such as information provision and publicity, exhibitions and events, and forums.

For non-light-water SMRs, the government will foster commercialisation-focused companies such as special purpose companies (SPCs) jointly funded by the public and private sectors from the early stages of development. It will also pursue institutional improvements with related ministries to expand SMR applications beyond power generation to industrial complex process heat and to fields such as maritime, defence and space.

Deputy Prime Minister Kyung-hoon Bae (배경훈), who also serves as science minister, said implementation of the SMR special act and enforcement decree was an institutional starting point to link nuclear R&D capabilities to demonstration and commercialisation and to expand them into industry. He said the government, research community and industry would work as one team to 추진 technology development and institutional improvements so that South Korea can lead the global SMR market.