![Staff members of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control pose for a commemorative photo at a ceremony marking the agency's 20th anniversary. [KINAC]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/30/news-p.v1.20260630.5e0488a6450449b2b33949c4964f79ed_P1.jpg)
The Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control held a ceremony marking its 20th anniversary and unveiled a new vision to become "a nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security regulatory body trusted by the public and the international community."
KINAC was established in 2006 as South Korea's only dedicated nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security agency, handling nuclear material accounting, nuclear security and import-export controls as part of the country's broader nuclear regulatory framework and peaceful use of atomic energy.
Over the past two decades, the agency has worked to strengthen the national nuclear nonproliferation and security regime and support the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It has also cooperated with international bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency to bring South Korea's nuclear regulatory capabilities up to international standards.
The new vision was drawn up to reflect shifting domestic and international conditions surrounding nuclear energy, including the expansion of small modular reactors and the need to address climate change. It explicitly defines the agency's core purpose as ensuring a safe nuclear environment for the public and guaranteeing transparent, consistent regulatory implementation for the international community.
"KINAC has faithfully carried out its mission to strengthen the national nuclear nonproliferation and security regime and support the peaceful use of nuclear energy over the past 20 years," said Lee Na-young, president of KINAC. "We will continue to fulfill our role as a nuclear control specialist agency that lives up to the trust of the public and the international community."
nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com
