On 11 September 2026, the Special Act on the Promotion of and Support for the Development of Small Modular Reactors (the "SMR Act") came into force.

 

Key Takeaways

Targeted Support. The Government may promote and support the development of the relevant technologies through the following initiatives:

  • Development Support: providing administrative, technical, and financial support for institutions and organizations engaged in domestic SMR development, and in SMR system demonstrations involving research reactors.
  • Public-Private Projects: collaborating with the private sector on SMR design, operation, and commercialization through the establishment of a "public-private jointly funded company" for SMR system development and an "SMR-related research association".
  • Special R&D Zones: designating specific geographic areas as "SMR System R&D Special Zones" to establish the foundation for SMR system development.

Limitations. The SMR Act is intended to lay the groundwork for commercial SMR development and does not address detailed regulations as to permits, safety regulations, or special electricity trading rules.

Anticipated Reforms.  Announced in February 2026, the Roadmap for Establishing an SMR Regulatory Framework (2026-2030) adapts existing regulations currently standardized for large light-water nuclear power plants to alternative reactor types. Its policy directions include reforming the licensing framework, specifying core safety requirements, adjusting regulations, introducing a pre-licensing “preliminary review system”, and expanding the topical reports approval system.


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[Korean version] 소형모듈원자로(SMR) 개발 촉진 및 지원에 관한 특별법 시행