Nuclear Research Institute "Hanaro and Auxiliary Facilities, Re-designation of International Research Reactor Center"

The research reactor ‘Hanaro (HANARO)’ and its auxiliary facilities have been re-designated as an International Centre based on Research Reactors (ICERR) by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute on the 19th, the facilities re-designated as ICERR include Hanaro, neutron beam utilization facilities, neutron irradiation facilities, radioisotope production facilities, irradiation material testing facilities, and the nuclear education center, totaling five research facilities.

(From left) Sang-im Yoo, Minister of Science and ICT, Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, and Kyu Joo, President of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, are posing for a commemorative photo after the IAEA ICERR re-designation plaque handover ceremony. Photo by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute

On the 17th (local time), Joo Han-kyu, president of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, attended the ‘68th IAEA General Conference’ held in Vienna, Austria, and personally received the ICERR plaque from Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General.

The IAEA designates ICERR by conducting rigorous evaluations of member countries’ research reactors and utilization facilities to expand the use of research reactors.

ICERR plays a role in providing education, training, and technical support services to developing countries seeking to newly introduce research reactors.

Currently, research reactors from seven countries (eight research institutions)?Korea, France, Russia, Belgium, the United States, Romania, and Morocco?are designated as IAEA ICERRs.

The IAEA conducts national evaluations every five years to decide on the re-designation of ICERR.

Hanaro, the only research reactor in Korea, was the first in Asia to be designated as ICERR in 2019. Successfully receiving re-designation this year is regarded as international recognition of Hanaro’s performance as well as excellence in operation, education and training, and research and development (R&D).

Previously, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute began the ICERR re-designation process in the first half of last year and met all the evaluation requirements demanded by the IAEA.

Through the ICERR re-designation, the institute plans to provide opportunities for capacity building through expert training and R&D cooperation to research reactor operating countries and those wishing to introduce reactors, while also expanding collaborative research with outstanding overseas researchers.

President Joo said, “The ICERR re-designation is a case that proves the excellence of Korean nuclear technology. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute will continue to work closely not only with the IAEA but also with member countries to provide opportunities for capacity building and collaborative research in the field of research reactors and do its best to enhance Korea’s international standing.”