Jo Joohyun, Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups, Visits Nuclear Power SMEs..."Nuclear Power Ecosystem Must Make the Greatest Leap"

Nuclear Power Plant Construction and Fire Preparedness 'JM Motor Pumps'
Visit to Regulatory Free Zone Demonstration Company 'Taerim Industry'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Cho Ju-hyun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (photo), visited nuclear power plant partner SMEs and regulatory sandbox demonstration companies located in Changwon, Gyeongnam on the 5th to listen to on-site difficulties.

The first company visited, 'JM Motors Pump,' is a company that manufactures and operates large cranes used in nuclear power plant construction and special fire pump trucks for initial fire suppression within nuclear power plants.

Vice Minister Cho confirmed the technological capabilities of domestic SMEs in the nuclear power industry and discussed on-site difficulties and government support measures at a meeting with executives and employees.

He emphasized, "For South Korea's nuclear power ecosystem to leap back to the world's top level, the recovery of nuclear power partner SMEs must be prioritized."

He added, "To ensure that support measures for nuclear power SMEs are swiftly implemented, dedicated officers have been assigned at the Gyeongnam Regional Office for each nuclear power SME in the Gyeongnam area, and dedicated personnel have been deployed to all 33 regional headquarters of the Small and Medium Business Corporation."

He also stated, "We will concentrate all capabilities, including implementing the Ambulance Man system, which completes the entire process from policy fund consultation to support decision within seven days."

Furthermore, Vice Minister Cho visited 'Taerim Industry,' a regulatory sandbox demonstration company for next-generation smart factories utilizing 5G. Taerim Industry is demonstrating an intelligent process operation management system based on digital twin technology.

Vice Minister Cho said, "Once this project is completed, it will reduce communication and operating costs for SMEs, enable flexible production and small-lot multi-product production through space optimization, thereby helping to enhance competitiveness."

He also stated, "Since Gyeongnam has more smart factories compared to other regions, it is expected that the advancement of smart factories through the utilization of 5G technology can be accelerated."