IAEA Ministerial Conference opens in South Korea

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ministerial Conference commenced on the 27th at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, South Korea. This marks the first time the high-level policy meeting, which discusses the peaceful use of nuclear energy and future policy directions, has been hosted in South Korea.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon, serving as chair, addressed approximately 800 participants, including representatives from 60 member states, eight international organizations, and 85 domestic and international companies. Bae emphasized that nuclear energy is a critical source for providing large-scale, stable, and low-carbon electricity, particularly as growing demands from AI, data centers, and advanced industries accelerate.

Bae outlined three core policy directions for South Korea: strengthening trust through safety and transparency, accelerating the safe development and demonstration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and establishing the nation as a global production hub. He noted that efforts must be made to align innovation with safety, nuclear security, and non-proliferation principles. The conference will also address practical implementation tasks, including workforce training, financing, and the use of nuclear technology in maritime applications.