SMR Commercialization to Begin by 2035: Advancing Beyond Research to Demonstration and Business

SMR Special Act and Implementing Decree Take Effect on September 11
Laying the Groundwork for Joint Public-Private Ventures and R&D Special Zones
Detailed Design to Begin Next Year Through Public-Private Partnership
Non-Light-Water SMR Construction Also Planned for the 2030s

The government has established the institutional foundation for commercializing small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2035. With the enforcement of a special act and implementing decree aimed at connecting SMRs—once limited to research and development— to actual demonstration and private sector business, the creation of a domestic SMR ecosystem encompassing technology development, demonstration, and commercialization is set to begin in earnest.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that the “Special Act on the Promotion and Support for the Development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR Special Act)” and its implementing decree come into effect from September 11, 2026. While the special act, enacted in March, provided the overarching framework for SMR research and development, demonstration, and industrialization, the implementing decree specifies operational standards for the master plan, whole-of-government task force, public-private cooperation, and SMR R&D special zones.

The government will first establish an “SMR System Development Master Plan” every five years, based on which an annual implementation plan will be drawn up. The master plan will include not only technology development, but also nuclear fuel supply chain, public acceptance, training of professionals, institutional improvements, and strategies for designating and operating SMR R&D special zones.

From Research to Business: Opening New Paths for Private Sector Participation

An “SMR System Development Promotion Committee” will also be launched to coordinate SMR policy across all government ministries. This committee, chaired by the Minister of Science and ICT, will include officials from relevant ministries—such as energy, industry, defense, maritime affairs, and SMEs—as well as more than 10 civilian experts. The committee will discuss technology development, demonstration, corporate partnerships, and institutional improvements in a wide range of SMR applications, including onshore power generation, ship propulsion, and heat supply. The Ministry of Science and ICT is scheduled to complete the formation of the civilian members within the year and then begin official deliberations.

In particular, an institutional basis has been established to allow private sector participation in SMR business. The act will support the creation of joint venture companies invested by private enterprises and public institutions, with the government allowed to provide funding within the limits of the national budget. It will also support the establishment and operation of SMR research cooperatives involving industry, academia, and research institutes.

Regions where the capabilities of universities, research institutes, and companies are concentrated may be designated as “SMR System R&D Special Zones.” Areas that have universities, laboratories, or companies with a certain level of personnel and infrastructure, and have established a cooperative system with local governments, are eligible. The government plans to develop separate strategies for nurturing these special zones, supporting R&D, demonstration, and corporate growth.

The enforcement of this special act is also linked to the government's timeline for SMR development outlined in last month’s “7 SEED Projects for Future Growth Engines.” The government aims to commercialize a light-water SMR by 2035 and to begin construction of non-light-water SMRs during the 2030s.

To this end, starting next year, the government and private sector will jointly embark on detailed SMR design, the integrated operation of large-scale facilities and equipment, and the application of advanced technologies such as digital twins to accelerate verification and demonstration. From the early stage of development, non-light-water SMRs will see the nurturing of specialized business corporations, such as special purpose companies (SPC) created with joint public-private capital. The government will also seek to expand the use of SMRs beyond power generation, into industrial complex process heat, as well as maritime, defense, and space applications.

Baek Kyunghoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, stated, “The enforcement of the SMR Special Act and implementing decree is the institutional starting point for connecting Korea’s accumulated nuclear R&D capabilities to demonstration, commercialization, and eventual industrial expansion. The government, research community, and industry will work together as one team to ensure that Korea leads the global SMR market, by accelerating technology development and institutional reforms.”

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