Korea Light Source Breaks Ground... 1.16 Trillion Won to Be Invested for 2029 Completion

Atomic-Level Analysis of Semiconductors, Biotechnology, and Secondary Batteries

Core Research Infrastructure for Advanced Industries

The 'Korea Light Source (KLS),' a large-scale research facility that will underpin national strategic technology research in areas such as semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and secondary batteries, is now entering full-scale construction.

On July 27, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Korea Light Source at the Ochang Multi-purpose Synchrotron Facility site in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, marking the official launch of the construction project.

The 'Korea Light Source (KLS),' a national core research facility that will support the next generation of basic science research and advanced industrial competitiveness in South Korea, has begun full-scale construction on the site in Ochang, Cheongju, Chungbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

The Korea Light Source is a fourth-generation circular synchrotron accelerator that accelerates electrons to near the speed of light, generating powerful synchrotron radiation (X-rays) used to analyze the atomic and molecular structures of materials.

KLS is referred to as an "ultra-high-performance microscope that can see atoms" because it enables the observation of internal structures and chemical changes in substances at the atomic level, which are difficult to view with ordinary microscopes. It will be used to detect tiny defects inside semiconductors, analyze protein structures to develop drug candidates, and study the charge/discharge processes of secondary batteries and the properties of advanced materials.

The government, together with North Chungcheong Province and other stakeholders, plans to invest a total project cost of 1.1643 trillion won to build the accelerator, beamline, and research support facilities with a target completion date at the end of 2029. KBSI is leading the project, while the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL) at Pohang University of Science and Technology is participating as a joint research and development institution.

Reducing Reliance on Overseas Accelerators and Supporting National Strategic Technologies

The completion of the Korea Light Source is expected to provide domestic industry, academia, and research communities with the foundation to carry out world-class research without depending on large-scale overseas facilities.

It is expected to serve as a key research infrastructure to accelerate not only basic science but also research and development in national strategic technologies, such as next-generation semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, secondary batteries, and advanced materials.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced plans to continuously inspect risk factors and implementation of safety measures at each construction stage and to prevent accidents through systematic project management.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be attended by representatives from the government, National Assembly, local governments, business, academia, research institutions, and local residents. In a congratulatory message, the President is expected to express hope that the Korea Light Source will become a core hub for expanding future growth engines in next-generation semiconductors, secondary batteries, and advanced materials, and lead innovation and region-driven growth in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.

The event will feature reports on project progress and vision, awards for contributions, a safety declaration, a groundbreaking ceremony, and a commemorative turning of the first soil. On the same day, an industry-academia-research symposium will be held at Osco in Cheongju to discuss the current status of the synchrotron construction, future plans, and ways to expand its utilization.

Gu Hyukchae, First Vice Minister of Science and ICT, said, "As the Korea Light Source enters the full-scale construction phase, we will put safety first and thoroughly manage the entire process. We will do our utmost to ensure successful implementation so that both researchers and industry can utilize world-class research infrastructure."

Hwang Geumsuk, Acting President of KBSI, stated, "Korea Light Source is a core national research infrastructure supporting the future competitiveness of Korean science, technology, and advanced industries. We will further develop it into Korea's leading research facility that promotes innovation in both basic science and strategic national technologies."

Shin Seunghwan, Head of the Multi-purpose Synchrotron Construction Project, emphasized, "This groundbreaking ceremony marks the starting point of the Korea Light Source project entering its full execution phase. We will build it as Korea's representative research base that supports innovations by domestic researchers and industries and leads international research collaboration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.