Strong Commitment to Attracting the Facility Expressed at Academic Conference
Recognized as the Optimal Location for Infrastructure and Residential Environment
Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is attending the 'Korea Accelerator and Plasma Research Association · Korean Physical Society Plasma Division Regular Academic Conference' held at Korea Energy Engineering University in Naju on the 2nd and is taking a commemorative photo with key guests. Provided by Jeonnam Province
Jeollanam-do is accelerating its efforts to attract the 'artificial sun research facility,' which is being highlighted as a core technology that will determine national competitiveness in the era of energy transition.
On July 2, Governor Kim Youngrok of Jeollanam-do attended the '2025 Korea Accelerator and Plasma Research Association (KAPRA) · Korean Physical Society Plasma Division Regular Academic Conference' held at Korea Energy Engineering University (KENTECH) in Naju, where he strongly expressed Jeollanam-do's commitment to attracting the 'artificial sun research facility.'
The academic conference brought together approximately 200 leading domestic researchers in the fields of nuclear fusion and plasma to share the latest research achievements and explore future directions for the development of fusion technology and plasma applications.
The government is planning a nuclear fusion technology development and infrastructure construction project worth about 1.2 trillion won, based on the '4th Fusion Energy Promotion Plan (2022-2026)' and the 'Fusion Energy Realization Acceleration Strategy' established last year.
In response, Jeollanam-do and Naju City, which are competing to attract large-scale research facilities, are highlighting their strengths in terms of location, including stable ground conditions near Bitgaram Innovation City, a spacious and expandable site, a pleasant residential environment, and excellent transportation networks via KTX and expressways. In particular, the presence of Korea Energy Engineering University, the only energy-specialized university in Korea, provides a well-established research and education infrastructure, which is highly regarded.
Furthermore, during the process of attracting the multi-purpose synchrotron accelerator in 2020 and the ultra-powerful laser research facility in 2023, the site’s suitability, expandability, and competitiveness of basic infrastructure were already thoroughly demonstrated.
Jeollanam-do has also secured the Ministry of Science and ICT’s 'Superconducting Conductor Test Facility Construction Project' (worth 49.8 billion won), and is currently building a test infrastructure at KENTECH, with the project proceeding smoothly toward completion in 2028.
The province is continuously expanding its cooperative system with fusion-related experts and industry through initiatives such as the 'Jeollanam-do Artificial Sun Forum' and the 'Jeonnam Artificial Sun Industry Roundtable.'
In his congratulatory remarks, Governor Kim stated, "The artificial sun is a national strategic technology that can simultaneously achieve carbon neutrality, energy security, and future growth. Jeollanam-do is rich in renewable energy resources, is the center of the power industry, and, with research infrastructure centered around Korea Energy Engineering University, is the optimal location for the artificial sun research facility."
He added, "Since we have already established substantial foundations, such as securing the superconducting conductor test facility, the artificial sun industry, which is a national core technology, should be allowed to grow centered on Naju. Therefore, Jeollanam-do should be promptly designated through a policy decision, without a site selection competition, to secure the facility as soon as possible."
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