Young leaders for fusion energy present the KFE 2050 future vision: “Lighting up the world with an artificial sun” 

On March 14th, the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) held a ceremony to declare its "KFE 2050 Vision" for the practical implementation of fusion energy by 2050. The vision aims to light up the world with an "artificial sun" created through a nuclear fusion device, which replicates the fusion reaction that powers the sun. This technology uses deuterium from seawater and lithium as fuel, providing a highly efficient and nearly limitless source of energy that emits no carbon, making it a promising alternative for a sustainable future society.

As major advanced countries accelerate their plans to realize fusion energy as a solution for climate change and a future energy alternative, the Korean government also recently confirmed its basic concept for a fusion demonstration reactor, and began preparing for the practical implementation of fusion energy with a phased design and roadmap development.

In response to the need for a long-term vision to realize fusion energy, KFE, as the only domestic nuclear fusion research institution in Korea, has established the vision of "lighting up the world with an artificial sun - KFE." This vision is based on three core values: "people & environment," "venture & rise," and "convergence & sharing," and includes three goals: “realizing energy self-sufficiency through fusion energy”, “enhancing quality of life through plasma technologies”, and “fostering a collaborative research and development environment,” with nine strategies to achieve them.

The event was attended by over 400 KFE employees and former executives of KFE and was broadcast live on the official YouTube channel of KFE, allowing the public to participate in the event. Themed as "KFE Vision Road," it included a screening of a video titled “The Footprints of Fusion” that looks back on the history of KFE, a presentation titled “Where Fusion Stands” on the main achievements and plans of major KFE R&D projects, and a screening of a video titled “The Way Forward for Fusion” that presents the future vision of fusion. 

The highlight of the event was the declaration of the KFE 2050 vision, which was presented by six young staff members who were selected as representatives of the future leaders who will lead nuclear fusion research in 2050s. This was followed by encouraging remarks from Minister Jong-Ho Lee of Science and ICT, Congressman Seung-Rae Cho and Sung-Jung Park, and Chairman Bok-Chul Kim of the National Research Council of Science and Technology, among others.

The President of the KFE, Dr. Suk Jae Yoo, remarked that "this event is for the young who will lead the research and development of fusion energy to make it a reality by 2050. With their leadership, we will achieve true energy independence for our country. We ask for your support and attention."