Malaysian Science-Technology Minister Visiting South Korea

Malaysian Science-Technology Minister Visiting South Korea

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili is leading a delegation from the ministry on a five-day visit to South Korea where they aim to study the country's impressive advancement in its nuclear power programme.

During the visit, which began Sunday, the minister will visit 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 South 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 (MW). Today, 36 per cent of the country's power requirement is supplied by nuclear plants.

He said that 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 power 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 the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, are in the midst of signing a memorandum of understanding on nuclear safety matters.

This was part of Malaysia's preparations toward the possible adoption of nuclear power as an alternative energy 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. -- NNN-BERNAMA