Ministry of Science and ICT Starts Construction of 'Korea New Light Accelerator'... Targeting Completion by 2029

The construction of a 4th-generation circular light source accelerator, to be used for next-generation semiconductor, secondary battery, and advanced material research, has begun. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 27 at the Chongju light source accelerator site in Chungcheongbuk-do. The Korea New Light Accelerator (KLS) will analyze material structures and properties at the atomic level using synchrotron radiation generated by accelerating electrons near light speed. The ministry plans to invest 1.1643 trillion won to complete the project by the end of 2029, constructing accelerator facilities, beamlines, and research support infrastructure under KBSI's management.