South Korea’s National Assembly passed a special act last Thursday to promote and support the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), establishing a legal framework to accelerate research, demonstration and commercialization of next-generation nuclear technology. The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) said the law mandates the formulation of a five-year master plan for SMR system development, accompanied by annual implementation plans, and creates an SMR Development Promotion Committee under the Nuclear Energy Promotion Committee, chaired by the science minister.

The legislation also provides a legal basis for regulatory and institutional improvements related to SMRs, strengthens government support for research