The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE), in collaboration with Hanyang University, co-hosted the 10th Asia-Pacific Transport Working Group Meeting (APTWG) from the 13th to the 16th of June. This four-day event was held at Hanyang University campus in Seoul, offering an opportunity to share recent research activities in the field of fusion plasma transport physics.

Confining plasma at temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius for extended periods inside a fusion reactor is a critical challenge in achieving fusion energy. However, at such high temperatures, plasma transport phenomena occur, leading to the escape of plasma particles and heat from the reactor due to instabilities and turbulence. These phenomena hinder the long-term operation of the plasma. Consequently, research efforts are underway worldwide to better understand plasma transport phenomena in fusion.

Korea, China, and Japan are actively involved in fusion plasma physics research, particularly in the field of transport phenomena, utilizing fusion devices in those countries. In 2010, these three nations established the APTWG to foster research and collaboration on plasma turbulence transport. The APTWG serves as a community platform for sharing the latest research findings on fusion plasma transport, including experimental results, interpretations, theoretical and simulation studies, thereby facilitating advanced research in fusion plasma physics.

The meeting featured diverse presentations and discussions on specific topics such as the isotope effect in fusion plasma transport, plasma turbulence transport physics, magnetohydrodynamic stability, and fast particle transport.

KFE President Suk Jae Yoo welcomed the opportunity to host this event in Korea after the COVID-19 pandemic. He added, "Through this meeting, I hope to promote exchanges among fusion researchers in Asian countries and provide an opportunity for active sharing of the latest achievements in fusion research."