Korean fusion expert joins top leadership of ITER, world's largest fusion project

Jeong Cheon-yeong named deputy director-general for engineering services, overseeing construction and device integration

Jeong Cheon-yeong, deputy director-general of ITER. [Ministry of Science and ICT]

A South Korean expert has joined the top executive leadership of the world's largest international nuclear fusion research project, known as the "dream energy" initiative.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced Monday that Jeong Cheon-yeong, head of the quality management division at the ITER Organization, has been appointed deputy director-general of the engineering services department. The five-year term runs through Oct. 31, 2031.

ITER is the world's largest international science and technology cooperation project, jointly pursued by seven members — South Korea, the United States, the EU, Japan, China, India and Russia — to verify the scientific and technical feasibility of nuclear fusion energy.

Nuclear fusion replicates on Earth the process by which the sun generates energy. It has drawn attention as a next-generation clean energy source because it produces low carbon emissions and can generate energy at large scale.

The ITER Organization's top executive body consists of a director-general and five deputy directors-general overseeing different areas. Jeong will lead the engineering services department, coordinating the engineering support and technical integration needed for ITER's construction and assembly of core devices.

ITER is a highly complex project that requires combining ultra-large precision components — including superconducting magnets and vacuum vessels — into a single integrated system. Ensuring the quality and technical compatibility of each component is considered a critical challenge for successful construction and operation.

Jeong joined the ITER Organization in 2013 as a quality management engineer and subsequently served as quality management team leader and division head.

Over the years, Jeong built expertise across the full lifecycle of major components — from design and fabrication through assembly, construction and operation — developing quality management strategies, improving oversight systems and conducting quality audits.

The appointment is also notable as it marks the fourth time South Korea has produced a deputy director-general at the ITER Organization.

Korean experts have held key roles in central engineering, construction and technical coordination since the early stages of the ITER project. The appointment is expected to further strengthen South Korea's technical standing and influence in international nuclear fusion research and development.

"I feel the weight of responsibility in taking on the role of deputy director-general of ITER, humanity's greatest science and technology project," Jeong said. "At this pivotal transition to core device assembly and commissioning, I will maximize the synergy between engineering capability and rigorous quality assurance to drive ITER's completion without a gap."

Koo Hyeok-chae, first vice minister of science and ICT, said the appointment "is a meaningful achievement that recognizes the international competitiveness of South Korea's nuclear fusion technology and its expert personnel," adding that the ministry would work to ensure the experience and technical capabilities accumulated through ITER participation are closely linked to domestic nuclear fusion policy.

nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com