FPN08-41

Korea Operates New Tokamak, KSTAR

July 18, 2008

The Republic of Korea has brought its newly-constructed, world-class tokamak, KSTAR, into operation. One of only a few tokamaks ever built using superconducting magnets, KSTAR uses the same superconducting material that will be used for the ITER magnets. The KSTAR facility is located at the Korean National Fusion Research Institute in Daejeon.

First operations demonstrated the operational capability of the device by generating plasma parameters in excess of its original first plasma discharge goal.

A press release from the Institute states, "this means that Korea has become one of the leading countries operating a prominent experimental facility for the world fusion researches for preparing ITER Operation."

Further information is available at http://www.knfp.net/english/