“Turning on the Lights” in South Korea:

Electrification, Nuclear Power, and Nation-Building, 1945-1978

John DiMoiaNational University of Singapore,

Department of History & STS Research Cluster

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Outline / Periodization

• 1) 1945-1948 (USAMGIK—United States Army Military Government in Korea); 1948-1955 International Assistance, UNKRA United Nations Korea Reconstruction Agency), Post-war reconstruction;

• 2) 1954-1956, Pacific Bechtel project (2A);

• 3) 1955-1959 (“Atoms for Peace,” First Korean students begin in 1955, Agreement of Cooperation signed February 1956) (2B);

• 4) 1959-1969 (AERI and its evolving mission); 1969-1978 (nuclear power)

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1. Electric Power: A Problem of Infrastructure (1945-1948) (Part One)

Most heavy industry, hydroelectric power located in the North

The South continues to purchase fertilizer from the North

Also continues to purchase electricity from the North through the spring of 1948

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The “split”: the arrival of UN elections, Spring

1948• North Korea will “turn off” the power (April / May 1948)

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And the division becomes a long-term separation between North and South

Harry S Truman Library, Korean War collection

“A Line Between Life and Death . . . “

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Remaining resources? / (as of January 1951)

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“Atoms for Sale” (1956)

II. (Part Two, A & B)Actual planning is projected for the long-term (20 to 30 years)

But the image to many Koreans is short-term, possible purchase of turn-key plants? A solution to the problem of meeting energy needs, no more need for coal—

Walker L. Cisler (July 1956), Detroit Edison, friends with the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project

Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project (from the late 1940s, at UM, and in mid-1950’s, international consultants)

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The Electrical Supply, mid to late 1950s (United Nations, UNKRA, etc.)

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Two very different approaches

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(a) Pacific Bechtel, 1954-1956

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The Grid (1954)?

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Ground-breaking, @Tangin-Ri, 1954

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Integrating with existing sites

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Results (1956)

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II. (2B) At the same time:The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project / Atoms

A Memorial to UM students who served during World War II, taking the form of: (1) an on campus reactor program, and (2) an international advising component--

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South “Korean” scientists begin to network , 1955-

To attend international meetings

To participate in training programs (ORINS, Argonne)

To study at American Universities (North Carolina State, Raymond L. Miller; Penn State University)

To study at other international sites (UK, West Germany)

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The Image of the Atom, late 1950s

Actually very positive

Influenced by dropping of the atom bomb, as well as by Atoms for Peace exhibits

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Techno-Optimism?

And the factor of mediation:

USIA (United States Information Agency)

American “soft power”: fellowships for journalism students (G. Brazinsky)

“Atoms for Peace” exhibits

Korean agency, but under American hegemony?

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Competing Agendas? (1957-1959)

Research reactor: Site? / Capacity?

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III. AERI (Part Three)AERI (Atomic Energy Research Institute), July 14, 1959

Based In Seoul

With a TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor (General Dynamics)

Both the site and the reactor type probably shaped by American concerns

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AERI as a new institution (1959-1965)

A “National Laboratory” and a materials testing center

A growing bureaucracy (lots of researchers, but few with training in depth) by the early 1960s

A form of subsidy?: returning scientists, as well as part-time consultants

The Phoenix view: “Ivory tower,” almost no relationship to Korea

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Drawing some tentative conclusions

•1) Two very different approaches•2) South Korea will ultimately opt for B, start an atomic energy program in 1969, to go online by the late 1970s (AERI will become KAERI in the early 1970s)•3) K national story—versus Japanese past, American present•4) Tied to its industrial goals, always more ambitious than the US (and implicit goal of reunification)

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Gori-1 / (1969-1978) transition

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Present-day Concerns / Post-Fukushima •(Domestic)

•1) “Life extension” for 1970s sites;•2) rapid expansion with new plants•___________•(International)•3) International: export plans, and the recent deal with US (UAE, others)

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Thanks~

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