Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the development of the national economy and the promotion of the welfare of the people by facilitating research and development of fusion energy, establishing infrastructure necessary for the generation and peaceful use of fusion energy, and promoting relevant technologies and industries.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The definitions of the terms used in this Act are as follows:
1. The term "nuclear fusion" means a process by which two lighter atomic nuclei react with each other to fuse together and form a nucleus heavier than before the reaction;
2. The term "fusion energy" means all kinds of energy generated by nuclear fusion reactions.
Article 3(Relationship to other statutes) #
(1) This Act shall prevail over the Nuclear Energy Promotion Act and other statutes in applying to research and development of fusion energy. <Amended on Jul. 25, 2011>
(2) Safe control in research and development of fusion energy shall be governed by the Nuclear Safety Act. <Amended on Jul. 25, 2011>
Article 4(Establishment of master plans to promote development of fusion energy) #
(1) In order to facilitate research and development of fusion energy, the Government shall establish a master plan to promote development of fusion energy including the following matters (hereinafter referred to as "master plan"): <Amended on Jun. 22, 2015>
1. The objective and basic direction of policies on fusion energy;
2. A system and the strategy for promoting research and development of fusion energy;
3. A plan to promote research and development of fusion energy;
4. Expansion of infrastructure for research and development of fusion energy;
5. An investment plan for research and development of fusion energy and procurement of necessary funds;
6. Training and utilization of experts necessary for research and development of fusion energy;
7. International cooperation in research and development of fusion energy;
8. Development of infrastructure for production and use of fusion energy;
9. Safety control and safety research related to fusion energy;
10. Fostering industries related to fusion energy;
11. Other matters necessary for facilitating research and development of fusion energy.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT shall prepare a master plan every five years in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and shall confirm such plan following the deliberation of the National Fusion Energy Committee under Article 6 (1). The foregoing shall also apply to revisions to any master plan; provided, this shall not apply to revisions to any minor matter specified by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) When a master plan is confirmed pursuant to paragraph (2), the Minister of Science and ICT shall, without delay, give public notice thereof and notify the heads of relevant central administrative agencies thereof. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017>
(4) Matters necessary for the establishment of master plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 5(Establishment and execution of implementation plans) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT and the head of each relevant central administrative agency shall establish and execute an implementation plan each year with regard to matters under his or her jurisdiction in accordance with the master plan. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT shall compile implementation plans for the pertinent year and the compliance status of implementation plans for the preceding year, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, and report them to the National Fusion Energy Committee under Article 6 (1). <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) Matters necessary for the establishment and execution of implementation plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 6(National Fusion Energy Committee) #
(1) In order to deliberate on important matters concerning research and development of fusion energy, a National Fusion Energy Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Science and ICT. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) The Committee shall be comprised of not more than 15 members, including one chairperson.
(3) The Minister of Science and ICT shall take the chair of the Committee, and other members shall be the following persons: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 22, 2015; Jul. 26, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>
1. The Vice Minister I of Finance and Economy, the Vice Minister I of Science and ICT, the Vice Minister II of Foreign Affairs 2, the Vice Minister II of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Minister of Planning and Budget;
2. Persons with extensive expertise and experience in research and development of fusion energy, commissioned by the chairperson.
(4) The Committee shall have one secretary, who shall be appointed by the chairperson from among public officials of the Ministry of Science and ICT. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(5) In order to conduct expert examination and prior coordination of agenda items to be submitted to the Committee for deliberation, a working committee shall be established, chaired by the Vice Minister I of Science and ICT under the jurisdiction of the Committee. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 22, 2015; Jul. 26, 2017>
(6) Matters necessary for the operation of the Committee and the organization and operation of the working committee, shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[Enforcement date: Jan. 2, 2026]
Article 7(Functions of the National Fusion Energy Committee) #
The Committee shall deliberate on the following matters:
1. Establishment and revision of master plans;
2. Establishment, compilation, and coordination of important policies on fusion energy;
3. Subsidization, etc. for research and development of fusion energy;
4. Fostering and support of institutes for research and development of fusion energy under Article 9 (1);
5. Evaluation of the results of promoting research and development of fusion energy;
6. Establishment and coordination of important policies on training of experts and international exchange necessary for research and development of fusion energy;
7. Facilitation of the practical use of technology for fusion energy;
8. Other matters recognized by the chairperson as necessary.
Article 8(Promotion of projects for research and development of fusion energy) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT shall establish a project plan to promote research and development of fusion energy in accordance with the master plan, shall select research themes on a yearly basis to efficiently implement such project plan, and then may allow institutions or organizations specified in the subparagraphs of Article 14 (1) of the Basic Research Promotion and Technology Development Support Act under an agreement concluded with him or her to study such research themes. In such cases, if an institution specified in Article 14 (1) 2 of the aforesaid Act has no power of representation, the Minister of Science and ICT may conclude an agreement with the representative of a corporation to which such institution belongs. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 9, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) Costs and expenses incurred in implementing projects for research and development of fusion energy pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be covered with the following financial resources:
1. Contribution by the Government;
2. Contribution by any person other than the Government;
3. Balance accrued in the course of implementing projects for research and development of fusion energy and other revenues.
(3) The heads of institutions or organizations primarily responsible for the management of research under an agreement on research themes of the projects for research and development of fusion energy under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "managing research institutes") may collect royalties from persons who use findings of research and development, as stipulated by the agreement.
(4) Where the heads of managing research institutes have collected royalties pursuant to paragraph (3), they shall report it to the Minister of Science and ICT. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(5) The royalties collected by the heads of managing research institutes pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be spent for the following purposes:
1. Compensation for researchers who have participated in projects for research and development of fusion energy;
2. Payments to institutions specializing in management of research and development projects specified by Presidential Decree;
3. Purposes specified by Presidential Decree, such as re-investment in projects for research and development of fusion energy.
Article 9(Institutes for research and development of fusion energy) #
(1) For the purpose of handling research, development, and use, etc. of fusion energy in an expert manner under the supervision of the Minister of Science and ICT, institutes for research and development of fusion energy or agencies for providing services related to fusion energy and manufacturing fusion energy-related products (hereafter in this Article referred to as "institutes for research and development of fusion energy, etc.") may be established. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) Matters concerning the establishment and operation of institutes for research and development of fusion energy under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by other statutes.
Article 10(Training of experts) #
(1) In order to develop human resources necessary for the promotion of research and development of fusion energy, the Government shall establish a plan to foster experts in fusion energy and take measures for educational and training programs for such experts.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT, in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, shall estimate supply of and demand for human resources necessary for research and development of fusion energy and shall endeavor to reflect the results in the plan to foster experts in fusion energy and measures for training such experts under paragraph (1). <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) In order to foster experts in fusion energy, the heads of relevant central administrative agencies may designate colleges, research institutes, or any other institution or organization related to fusion energy as institutions for training experts in fusion energy, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, which may provide educational and training programs.
(4) The heads of relevant central administrative agencies may subsidize costs and expenses incurred in connection with education and training under paragraph (3).
Article 11(Expansion of facilities necessary for research and development of fusion energy) #
The Government shall prepare and promote measures for expanding facilities and equipment necessary for research and development of fusion energy so as to efficiently promote research and development of fusion energy.
Article 12(Support for research and development of fusion energy) #
The Government shall formulate and promote measures necessary for supporting colleges, research institutes, and businesses in their research and development of fusion energy and for stimulating collaborative research between them. <Amended on Jun. 22, 2015>
Article 13(Facilitation of investment by enterprises in research and development of fusion energy) #
The Government shall prepare and promote measures for encouraging enterprises or private individuals to invest financial resources necessary for research and development of fusion energy or to contribute funds to academia or research institutes.
Article 14(Facilitation of international cooperation) #
In order to facilitate research and development of fusion energy, the Government shall devise a scheme for promoting international cooperation in the following matters:
1. Participation in international joint research and development projects, such as international projects for development and experiment of fusion energy;
2. International exchange of fusion energy experts;
3. Invitation and utilization of foreign experts in fusion energy;
4. Other matters concerning the facilitation of international cooperation in fusion energy.
Article 15(Confidentiality) #
No member of the Committee or working committee or no public official who performs or has performed a duty under this Act, shall divulge confidential information known to him or her in the course of his or her duty or use such information for any purpose other than the purpose of enforcing this Act.
Article 15-2(Legal fiction as public officials for purposes of applying penalty provisions) #
A member of the Committee or working committee who is not a public official shall be deemed a public official for purposes of applying Articles 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act.
[This Article Added on Feb. 13, 2024]
Article 16(Penalty provisions) #
Any person who violates Article 15 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won.
Article 17 #
Deleted. <Jun. 22, 2015>