International collaborations for success-the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) Project

Summary form only given. This paper is intended to provide a case study of the highly successful international collaborative approach taken by the Korean Government and the Korea Basic Science Institute in the design, construction, and research experimental program of its Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) Project. This project, planned on coming on line in the first few years of the new millennium will play an important scientific role in development of magnetic fusion energy as a long-term energy source for the benefit of mankind. The KSTAR Project was initiated in early 1996 as the flagship of the emerging Korea National Fusion Program. The Project will be designed, constructed, and operated at the National Fusion R&D Center of the Korea Basic Science Institute in Taejeon, Korea. Both the National Fusion Program and the KSTAR Project have very high visibility and support in Korea with the Korean Government's Ministry of Science and Technology providing oversight. The importance of the KSTAR Project to the technological base in Korea was confirmed by a series of high level reviews resulting from a new administration and evaluation of all major projects in light of the uncertainty in the Asian and Korean economies. Since its inception, the KSTAR Project has actively sought out international collaborations with the magnetic fusion programs in the US, Japan, and Europe. As a result, the KSTAR Project has effectively leveraged over 45 years of knowledge and expertise to enable the Project to proceed on a fast-track basis.