The South Korean government is advancing its innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR) technology, which has recently gained attention in next-generation nuclear power developments. The project, helmed by a consortium led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Climate Change and Energy, has officially applied for standard design approval from the Nuclear Safety Commission. This application signifies South Korea's entry into a vital regulatory phase aimed at enhancing its global competitiveness in the small modular reactor arena.

The innovative small modular reactor model allows for flexible assembly of up to four reactor units, with the capacity to generate between 170 MWe and 640 MWe, a significant increase compared to the existing Korean SMART SMR, which has a capacity of 100-110 MWe. The approval for standard design is crucial as it streamlines the regulatory procedures for the repeated construction of reactors based on the same design, ultimately accelerating the commercialization and export potential of this advanced technology.

Since 2023, the government has been investing heavily in research and development projects aimed at establishing a foothold in the growing small modular reactor market. With an allocated budget of 399.2 billion Korean won over six years, the project team has collaborated with over 40 academic and research institutions to enhance safety, economic viability, and flexibility in design. The head of the project team, Kim Han-gon, emphasized that the application for standard design approval represents a significant milestone for South Korean technology on the global stage and aims to lead the small modular reactor export market by the 2030s through rigorous verification and collaboration during the review process.