ID :
68494
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 20:28
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/68494
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MINISTER ON A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili will lead a delegation from the ministry on a
five-day visit to South Korea beginning Sunday which, among other things, will
study the country’s impressive advancement in its nuclear power programme.
His itinerary includes a visit to the Energy Farm and Kori Nuclear Power
Plants operated by Korean Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd (KHNP) in Gori, Busan,
as well as the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in Daejon.
In a statement issued by the ministry here Tuesday, Ongkili said South Korea
was a model to follow as its nuclear programme exemplified the country’s pursuit
of self-reliance, commitment to public safety and strict regulation that had
made it a leading player in the industry.
He said when its first nuclear plant came on stream in 1978, the Korean
nuclear industry relied on foreign contractors but it had since entered the
world market with its own reactors, even exporting its technology and skills.
South Korea has 20 power plants in operation, eight under construction and
another 10 under planning. The reactor capacity reaches 1,000 megawatt. Today,
36 per cent of its power requirement is supplied by nuclear plants.
He said similarly, through experience over the years, South Korea had
developed a regulatory structure for its nuclear programme that was independent
from the operational structure, which promoted greater transparency and public
confidence.
“South Korea has not only gone on to use its own nuclear technologies but
took efforts to put in place safety and regulatory mechanisms,” said Ongkili.
In the beginning, South Korea’s Science and Technology Ministry was the
programme’s single entity for regulatory, promotion and safety. With revision to
the Atomic Energy Law in 1986, the two functions were separated.
Ongkili said: “The nuclear plants are also said to be zero-risk with
monitoring done every 15 seconds. South Korea is able to build safe,
environmentally-friendly nuclear reactors right next to the village."
Thus, he said, before any country like Malaysia adopted nuclear as an
alternative source of energy, it must have effective and efficient
implementation, capacity building, due considerations to safety as well as
regulatory mechanisms in place right from the start.
As a follow up to Ongkili’s visit, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety
(KINS) and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), the atomic energy
regulatory authority under MOSTI, are in the midst of signing a memorandum of
understanding on nuclear safety matters.
This was part of Malaysia’s preparation toward the possible adoption of
nuclear energy as an alternative source in the future, as well as in fulfilling
the 19 requirements new entrants in nuclear technology must fulfill under the
International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines, he said.
-- BERNAMA
Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili will lead a delegation from the ministry on a
five-day visit to South Korea beginning Sunday which, among other things, will
study the country’s impressive advancement in its nuclear power programme.
His itinerary includes a visit to the Energy Farm and Kori Nuclear Power
Plants operated by Korean Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd (KHNP) in Gori, Busan,
as well as the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in Daejon.
In a statement issued by the ministry here Tuesday, Ongkili said South Korea
was a model to follow as its nuclear programme exemplified the country’s pursuit
of self-reliance, commitment to public safety and strict regulation that had
made it a leading player in the industry.
He said when its first nuclear plant came on stream in 1978, the Korean
nuclear industry relied on foreign contractors but it had since entered the
world market with its own reactors, even exporting its technology and skills.
South Korea has 20 power plants in operation, eight under construction and
another 10 under planning. The reactor capacity reaches 1,000 megawatt. Today,
36 per cent of its power requirement is supplied by nuclear plants.
He said similarly, through experience over the years, South Korea had
developed a regulatory structure for its nuclear programme that was independent
from the operational structure, which promoted greater transparency and public
confidence.
“South Korea has not only gone on to use its own nuclear technologies but
took efforts to put in place safety and regulatory mechanisms,” said Ongkili.
In the beginning, South Korea’s Science and Technology Ministry was the
programme’s single entity for regulatory, promotion and safety. With revision to
the Atomic Energy Law in 1986, the two functions were separated.
Ongkili said: “The nuclear plants are also said to be zero-risk with
monitoring done every 15 seconds. South Korea is able to build safe,
environmentally-friendly nuclear reactors right next to the village."
Thus, he said, before any country like Malaysia adopted nuclear as an
alternative source of energy, it must have effective and efficient
implementation, capacity building, due considerations to safety as well as
regulatory mechanisms in place right from the start.
As a follow up to Ongkili’s visit, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety
(KINS) and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), the atomic energy
regulatory authority under MOSTI, are in the midst of signing a memorandum of
understanding on nuclear safety matters.
This was part of Malaysia’s preparation toward the possible adoption of
nuclear energy as an alternative source in the future, as well as in fulfilling
the 19 requirements new entrants in nuclear technology must fulfill under the
International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines, he said.
-- BERNAMA
