Gov't to invest $863.7 mil. into nuclear fusion research

Science Minister Lee Jong-ho speaks during a forum at a hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju, in this picture provided by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, July 19. Yonhap

The science ministry said Monday it will invest 1.2 trillion won ($863.7 million) into the development of technologies for nuclear fusion.

"Fusion power can be a solution to the rising concerns surrounding energy and greater electricity demand, and in the future, only the country with fusion power technology will be able to lead the global energy market," Science Minister Lee Jong-ho said in a statement.

Nuclear fusion power is considered a promising option for generating cleaner and safer energy for the future as it does not have carbon emissions and produces less radioactive waste than fission. (Yonhap)