▲ Aerial view of radiation accelerator
The 'radiation accelerator', which is the core equipment for basic science research and high-tech industrial research such as new drugs and semiconductors, enters Cheongju, Chungbuk.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced today (8th) that Ochang, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, was selected as the region to implement the 'multipurpose radiation accelerator construction project'.
As a result of evaluating the stability and transportation convenience of geological and geotechnical structures and the density of universities, research institutes, and industries that will utilize accelerators, the Ministry of Science and Technology evaluated that Cheongju was the best site for evaluation.
Cheongju scored particularly well in terms of geographical conditions and potential for development.
Earlier, Cheongju City established the location of easy access from anywhere in the country and an excellent transportation network as its regional strength.
It has also emphasized that research infrastructure such as Osong Life Science Industrial Complex and Daedeok Research Complex are concentrated nearby.
The Ministry of Science and Technology, which selected the site today, will apply for a preliminary feasibility study within this year, and plan to launch the project by 2022 at the latest.
If it goes according to the current plan, the accelerator will be built around 2027 and will start operating from 2028.
According to the Korea Institute of Basic Science and Technology, it is estimated that the radiation light accelerator project will have the effect of 137,000 employment, 6,700 billion won in production, and 2,440 billion won in added value.
Emission light accelerator is a device that accelerates electrons close to the speed of light to produce bright light (radiation light).
With the light produced by the accelerator, you can see in real time the movements of microscopic structures or living cells that cannot be seen with an ordinary microscope.
This equipment is considered as a core facility required for materials and parts industries such as life science research, new drug development, display, and semiconductor.
Radiation accelerators are used for the development of the new influenza treatment drug 'Tamiflu' and erectile dysfunction drug 'Viagra'.
Taiwan's semiconductor company TSMC utilizes more than 1,000 hours of radiation light accelerators per year.
In Korea, 3rd and 4th generation radiation light accelerators are installed in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, but there are limitations in responding to the needs of researchers.
The Ministry of Science and Technology decided to invest about KRW 1 trillion to build a new radiation light accelerator, and openly contested the local governments wishing to attract the accelerator.
Four companies including Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk, and Naju-si, Jeonnam, and Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do announced their willingness to host.
In the evaluation evaluation held on the 6th, Cheongju scored the highest with 90.54 points, Naju scored 87.33 points, Chuncheon scored 82.59 points, and Pohang scored 76.72 points.
(Photo = Provided by Chungbuk Province, Yonhap News)