By Kang Hyun-kyung
Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik pinpointed climate change and the depletion of traditional energy resources, Monday, as two grave global challenges impeding countries’ efforts to make their economy grow amid the tough economic environment.
Describing nuclear fusion energy as a dream technology that can resolve the problems simultaneously, he pledged South Korea’s full support for the global effort to research and develop the alternative energy for its commercial use so that nations can benefit from the technology.
Kim’s remarks came at a time when countries are struggling to deal with the daunting challenge of energy shortages and seeking to secure renewable energy sources to help their economies grow.
In a keynote speech to the Fusion Energy Conference in Daejeon Convention Center, Kim called nuclear energy environmentally-friendly green energy.
“If nuclear fusion energy comes into commercial use, the challenge over energy shortages will be removed. If this happens, governments will be able to save money and make investments in other humanitarian areas,” he said.
Kim said Korea, which is exporting its advanced nuclear technology to foreign nations by building nuclear reactors, was ready to share its advanced nuclear fusion technology with the international community.
The international conference was organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
About 1,500 people, including nuclear scientists and policymakers, are participating in the week-long conference.
Joining the event were Werner Burkart, deputy director general and head of the department of nuclear sciences and applications at the IAEA, and Motojima Osamu, director general of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.
The IAEA conference will continue until Sunday.