Chronology of major events leading up to UAE nuclear reactor sale

SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronology of South Korea's nuclear
energy development history leading up to the country's signing Sunday of a US$20
billion export deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

1957 -- South Korea joins the International Atomic Energy Agency.

1958 -- South Korea passes its nuclear energy law.

1959 -- Seoul starts works on the construction of its first research reactor
TRIGA Mark-II brought in from the United States. The government creates its first
state-run nuclear research and development institute.

1962 -- TRIGA Mark-II goes on line. The government establishes a nuclear energy
development program and creates a dedicated oversight committee.

1971 -- Work begins on a 650,000 kilowatt Gori-1 commercial reactor.

1978 -- Gori-1 reactor begins first commercial electricity production.

1983 -- Power generation begins on a 680,000 kilowatt heavy water reactor in
Wolsong.

1987 -- South Korea develops a technology to produce fuel for heavy water
reactor. Accumulated power output of local reactors surpasses 100 billion
kilowatts.

1988 -- South Korea develops technology to produce fuel for light water reactor.

1995 -- The country designs and build its indigenous 30 megawatt High-flux
Advanced Neutron Application Reactor. Commercial power production begins on
locally built OPR-1000 reactor.

1996 -- South Korea develops a commercial reactor known as the Korean Standard
Nuclear Power Plant.

1999 -- South Korea develops modified fuel for research reactors.

2002 -- South Korea completes a blueprint for the system integrated modular
advanced reactor (SMART) designed for the export market.

2005 -- South Korea sets up the Advanced Thermal-Hydraulic Test Loop for Accident
Simulation (ATLAS) system to improve nuclear safety regime. Uljin-6 nuclear
reactor goes on line

2009 -- South Korea exports the locally developed, advanced APR-1400 reactor to UAE.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)