The construction of the world-class 4th generation synchrotron, the 'Korea New Light Synchrotron (KLS),' has officially begun.
On July 27, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) held a groundbreaking ceremony at the synchrotron site in Ochang, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, lawmakers, local government representatives, industry and academia stakeholders, and local residents.
The KLS will utilize bright light (synchrotron radiation) generated by accelerating electrons close to the speed of light to conduct precise analyses of material structures and characteristics at the atomic level.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to invest a total of 1.1643 trillion won (approximately $1 billion) in collaboration with North Chungcheong Province to establish the accelerator, beamlines, and research support facilities, aiming for completion by the end of 2029. The project will be led by KBSI.
In a written congratulatory message, President Lee Jae-myung expressed hopes that the KLS will serve as a foundation for South Korea's future growth engines in next-generation semiconductors, secondary batteries, and advanced materials, and become a symbol of innovation in Cheongju.
Acting KBSI President Hwang Geum-sook stated, "KLS will be a key national research infrastructure supporting South Korea's scientific and technological future competitiveness. This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a foundation for domestic researchers and industries to conduct world-class research and to lead innovations in basic science and national strategic technology fields."
Shin Seung-hwan, head of the multipurpose synchrotron construction project, emphasized, "We will do our utmost to successfully establish a world-class research facility that supports innovation for domestic researchers and industries and positions itself as a representative research base for global research collaboration."
First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuk-chae noted, "As KLS enters the construction phase, we will prioritize safety and thoroughly manage the entire construction process, ensuring that researchers and industries can utilize world-class research infrastructure effectively."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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