South Korea's state-run nuclear foundation said Wednesday it has signed a pact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to assist countries that want to build new reactors.
The Korea Nuclear Energy Foundation (KNEF) said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines concerted efforts to win public support for the building of nuclear power plants and to carry out market surveys related to fission energy.
It said that the "Cooperation and Promotion of the Public's Understanding and Acceptance of the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy" MOU signed in Vienna on Tuesday aims to help alleviate concerns about nuclear energy safety issues by sharing South Korea's experience in this sector.
South Korea, which presently operates 20 commercial reactors, has accumulated vast knowhow in the past 30 years on winning public acceptance
of atomic power. This could be used as a reference by countries wanting to build their own nuclear plants.
A KNEF spokesperson said that under the pact, the foundation can provide detailed public relations manuals to countries that the IAEA thinks will need such information. It can also offer such services directly on request from South Korean companies that build reactors.
Providing the know-how to overcome objections or concerns can help foreign governments move forward with construction and place orders.
International energy experts, meanwhile, said that up to 430 new atomic reactors may be built around the world by 2030, from 436 operated at
present.
South Korea, which won its first export order with the United Arab Emirates in 2009 is close to reaching a deal with Turkey and has said it
wants to secure orders to build 80 reactors in the next 20 years.