South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea Releases SMR Development Strategy 2.0, Sets 2035 Manufacturing Market Share Target

On September 10, 2026, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea announced the “Small Modular Reactor Global Development Strategy 2.0,” proposing to build the region into the world's leading small modular reactor (SMR) production hub by 2035, and striving to capture 60% of the global SMR manufacturing market and achieve 100% self-sufficiency in related technologies.

South Gyeongsang Province stated that multiple tasks included in the “Small Modular Reactor Global Development Strategy 1.0” formulated last year, including promoting the enactment of a special SMR law, designating SMR as a national strategic technology, designating an SMR specialized complex, establishing a full-cycle SMR support system, and relaxing relevant regulatory requirements, have already been reflected in the South Korean government's policies. Therefore, South Gyeongsang Province released the new Strategy 2.0.

According to the strategy, South Gyeongsang Province plans to invest 4.699 trillion won through private investment, national and local fiscal funds, and other channels to build a full-cycle SMR industrial ecosystem covering R&D, manufacturing, testing, certification, and export. At the same time, the region will promote the integration of SMR with its advantageous industries such as shipbuilding, maritime, defense, and aerospace to expand new application markets.

Strategy 2.0 revolves around three priorities: “scaling up, creating markets, and building a global hub.” South Gyeongsang Province plans to start with the construction of a regional nuclear power industrial ecosystem to support the SMR commercialization process. Next year, the region will seek to secure the designation of a micro modular reactor-related special zone by the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT, and will integrate R&D, manufacturing, and demonstration functions around this special zone.

On the manufacturing side, South Gyeongsang Province will advance the construction of a dedicated SMR factory led by Doosan Enerbility, and build a state-funded robotic SMR production support center and an SMR manufacturing component testing and inspection support center within the Changwon National Industrial Complex. These facilities will be used to form an integrated support system so that SMR component development, testing, verification, and certification can be completed within the same region.

South Gyeongsang Province also proposed to cultivate the SMR industry as a pivot for driving regional industrial upgrading and promote its integration with industries such as shipbuilding, maritime, defense, and aerospace. The region emphasized that in the future, SMR should not only be regarded as a power generation facility, but can also serve as an energy solution for multiple industrial scenarios, including applications such as SMR-powered ships. Therefore, South Gyeongsang Province will lay out manufacturing capacity in advance to adapt to potential future industrial demand for SMR.

In terms of international cooperation, South Gyeongsang Province plans to explore the establishment of a cooperation framework that combines South Korea's capabilities in construction, manufacturing, and engineering, the United States' experience in technology sources, certification, and financing, and Japan's foundation in precision materials and component manufacturing to jointly engage in the global SMR market.

South Gyeongsang Province will also improve the construction of its regional SMR production base by strengthening R&D, talent cultivation, and artificial intelligence applications. The region plans to rely on core regional universities to supplement SMR research capabilities and apply artificial intelligence technology to SMR manufacturing and operation to enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing system and supply chain.

Lee Mi-hwa, Director of the South Gyeongsang Province Industry Bureau, stated that South Gyeongsang Province is South Korea's nuclear power manufacturing center, with a strong manufacturing foundation and technical capabilities, and is well-positioned to participate in global SMR market competition. She stated that South Gyeongsang Province will leverage its manufacturing competitiveness to promote the early commercialization of SMR and expand its influence in the global market.

Small modular reactors are regarded as one of the next-generation nuclear energy technology directions, and their integrated design and factory-based manufacturing methods help shorten construction periods and reduce initial investment costs. Currently, many countries are advancing related technology development and industrial deployment.

South Gyeongsang Province is an important nuclear power manufacturing base in South Korea, home to approximately 240 nuclear power-related companies. Among them, Doosan Enerbility, located in the Changwon National Industrial Complex, is an important manufacturer of major components for South Korean nuclear power plants. South Gyeongsang Province believes that the region already has a strong SMR manufacturing foundation.