Construction will begin on a fourth-generation circular synchrotron radiation accelerator that will be used for research into next-generation semiconductors, secondary batteries and advanced materials.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) on July 27 held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Korea New Light Accelerator (KLS) at the accelerator site in Ochang, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do.

The Korea New Light Accelerator is a fourth-generation circular synchrotron that uses radiation generated by accelerating electrons to near the speed of light to analyse the structure and properties of materials at the atomic level.

The ministry, together with Chungcheongbuk-do and others, will invest 1.16 trillion won with the goal of completing the project by the end of 2029. It will build accelerator equipment, beamlines and research support facilities, with KBSI overseeing the project.

The ministry plans to work with related agencies to check risk factors and the status of safety measures at each stage of construction and to prevent accidents through systematic schedule management.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the government, the National Assembly, local governments, industry, academia and research institutes, as well as local residents. President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) conveyed in a written congratulatory message that he hopes the accelerator will support the expansion of future growth engines and establish itself as a key hub leading innovation in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, and locally driven growth.

An expert symposium will also be held on the afternoon in Cheongju at Osco to discuss the construction status of the synchrotron accelerator and ways to use it.

First Vice Minister Koo Hyuck-chae (구혁채) of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "As the Korea New Light Accelerator enters the full-scale construction phase, we will thoroughly manage the construction process with safety as the top priority." He added, "We will do our best to ensure successful construction so that researchers and industry can use world-class research infrastructure."