Cultivating TRUST between the United States and the Republic of Korea to generate tomorrow’s energy will require aligning innovation, infrastructure, and global standards in next-generation nuclear cooperation.
South Korea’s nuclear energy program began with cooperation. In the 1950s, it was launched with technical and institutional support from the United States, and over the following decades, the two countries maintained close cooperation across the fields of education, technology, regulation, and human resource development.
The turning point came in 2009 when Korea exported four APR-1400 reactors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This contract not only marked Korea’s rise as a major exporter of large-scale nuclear reactors, but also served as a decisive moment in its ability to prove its cost-efficiency, project execution capabilities, and safety standards in the field of nuclear power.
Building on this technological progress, the governments of both countries formalized their strategic partnership in January 2025 by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on nuclear energy export and cooperation, institutionalizing their joint efforts to enhance global nuclear export capabilities.
Just a few days ago, another major milestone was reached. A Korean consortium led by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) won the contract for the design studies of the next-generation research reactor at the University of Missouri. This is the first time that Korean nuclear technology has been exported to the United States, symbolizing the maturity of Korean technology and its growing trust in the global market.
The Opportunity of the Advanced Reactor Era
While large nuclear power reactors continue to function as core sources for baseload electricity and long-term decarbonization, the world is increasingly turning its focus to small modular reactors (SMRs) and various advanced reactor technologies. These technologies offer improved safety, modular deployment, and greater flexibility in integrating with renewable energy sources.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of 2024, around seventy SMR and advanced reactor designs are under development globally. These designs include light water SMRs, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, sodium-cooled fast reactors, and molten salt reactors, each with distinct regulatory, fuel cycle, and operational characteristics. While this technological diversity is encouraging, it also reveals uncertainties in regulatory alignment, fuel supply, and infrastructure development.
If these gaps are not overcome, the global deployment of SMRs may face delays or fragmentation. Therefore, the need for bilateral leadership is more urgent than ever.
Why Korea-U.S. Cooperation Matters Now
The United States and South Korea bring complementary strengths to the advanced reactor field. The U.S. leads in foundational R&D, private-sector innovation, and global regulatory influence, while Korea excels in cost-effective design, construction, licensing efficiency, and operational stability.
By collaborating, the two countries can not only develop technology but also co-design the global standards and market frameworks that will shape the future of nuclear power. What is needed is not sporadic cooperation, but an official framework that encompasses all stages of the process—from design and regulation to infrastructure and international market expansion.
TRUST: A Strategic Platform for Bilateral Leadership
Against this backdrop, I would like to propose a new cooperation initiative called TRUST—Towards Resilient U.S.-Korea Strengthened Ties. TRUST would serve as an institutionalized framework for collaboration throughout the full lifecycle of advanced reactors—from development and deployment to commercial use —and could encompass the following objectives. TRUST would institutionalize bilateral cooperation throughout the entire life cycle of advanced reactor technologies, with the following goals:
- Joint regulatory development and digital licensing environments
- Collaborative deployment and deployment projects in third countries
- Joint nuclear education and human resources development
- Nuclear nonproliferation-based export strategies and coordinated fuel supply chains
Beyond technology-focused cooperation, TRUST would function as a values-driven model of collaboration that is grounded in transparency, nonproliferation, and sustainability.
Beyond Technology: Shaping Global Norms
At this critical juncture, the importance is not just the technology itself, but the global standards that it will end up setting. Which countries succeed in deploying advanced reactors first will have a decisive influence on the norms and expectations that define the nuclear industry.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has clearly stated, “Advanced nuclear technologies—especially small modular reactors—have the potential to play a significant role in decarbonization and global energy security. Our partnerships are key to accelerating responsible deployment.”
After decades of building trust, South Korea and the United States are now ready to demonstrate joint leadership by combining technical capability with institutional credibility.
By putting TRUST into action—from design to deployment—the two nations will not only create advanced reactors, but will also shape the international order and rules necessary for their operation.
Dr. Eunju Jun is the Director for International Strategy at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and served as the Chair of the Education and Training Working Group of the Generation-IV International Forum. She was also the science attaché at the Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea in Austria.
Image: Shutterstock/donfiore
