Isotope 'Olympics' ICI Confirmed to Be Held in Busan in 2029

Beating China and Switzerland to Win the Bid... Laying the Groundwork to Become a Global Supply Hub Linked to the New Export Research Reactor

The International Conference on Isotopes (ICI), the world's largest academic conference in the field of isotopes, will be held in Busan in 2029. Having secured the bid over China and Switzerland, Korea is being evaluated as having created a turning point to move from being an importer of radioisotopes to becoming a global supplier and exporter of related technologies.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Radiation Promotion Association announced on the 25th that they had confirmed that the 13th International Conference on Isotopes (13th International Conference on Isotopes, ICI) will be held in Busan, Korea, in 2029.

Event poster. Provided by Hanguk Bangsaseon Jinheung Hyeophoe

The World Council on Isotopes (WCI), which organizes the conference, officially announced Busan, Republic of Korea, as the next host city at the closing ceremony of the 12th ICI held in Florence, Italy, on the 19th (local time). ICI is the largest international event in the isotope field, held on a rotating basis across continents approximately every 2.5 to 3 years.

Korea has succeeded in winning the bid again for the first time in about 20 years since hosting the 6th ICI in Seoul in 2008. In particular, this successful bid was achieved in competition with China and Switzerland, which underscores the renewed international recognition of Korea's technological capabilities and industrial base in radioisotopes.

In July, the association formed a bidding committee led by Chairman Kim Sangeun and, with government support, prepared a strategic proposal based on cooperation among industry, academia, and research institutes. The Busan Metropolitan City Government, the Busan Tourism Organization, and 19 related academic associations and institutions at home and abroad supported the bidding activities.

The government plans to use this conference not merely as an academic event but as a "business platform." In connection with the new research reactor for export that will be built in Busan in 2028, it plans to showcase radioisotope production technologies and infrastructure (including Mo-99 and I-131) to the world and to strengthen matching programs between overseas buyers and domestic companies.

Kim Sangeun, Chairman of the Korea Radiation Promotion Association, said, "The 13th ICI will serve as a venue for isotope experts from around the world to discuss technologies and industries," adding, "We will make sure it becomes an opportunity for Korea's industry, academia, and research institutes to expand their global networks and enhance the competitiveness of Korea's radiation technologies and industries."

Gu Hyukchae, First Vice Minister of Science and ICT, said, "Securing the bid to host this ICI is a signal that Korea is transforming from a radioisotope importing country into a global supply hub and technology exporter," and added, "We will spare no policy support to ensure the successful hosting of the 2029 conference so that Korea's radiation and isotope industries are recognized by the international community."

Meanwhile, the association plans to convert the existing bidding committee into an organizing committee and begin full-scale preparations for the conference in cooperation with the central government, local governments, and related institutions.