Argentina hopes to strengthen nuclear cooperation with Korea

Argentina's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Daniel Filmus speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at a hotel in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Embassy of Argentina in Korea

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Argentina's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Daniel Filmus visited Korea last week for four days, meeting with a Korean minister and top scientists to discuss cooperation in the field of science with a focus on nuclear energy and lithium.

This visit is part of ongoing efforts to implement a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries in July 2022, which centers on cooperation in information and communication technology.

Filmus described his meeting with Korea's Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho as fruitful because the MOU is a significant milestone.

"Because it (MOU) allows us to deepen cooperation in science and technology with Korea on issues that both countries have defined as strategic, such as mining, agro-industry, green hydrogen production, climate issues, aerospace, biotechnology and nanotechnology," Filmus said during an interview with The Korea Times at a hotel in Seoul, Friday.

"Our bilateral relationship has grown in terms of economics, politics, and diplomacy. I believe my visit has the potential to further strengthen the relationship in the field of science."

Filmus said Argentina recognizes Korea's rapid economic growth as well as advancements in quality of life through science and technology.

"President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez places a strong emphasis on science and technology and the country recently passed legislation to increase government investment in science by four times," he explained.

"Korea and Argentina have unique strengths in the field of science and technology and by working together, the two countries can complement each other and drive progress in these areas. While Korea excels in certain areas of development and investment, Argentina has its own areas of expertise and technology to offer."

Daniel Filmus, Argentina's minister of science, technology and innovation, speaks during a meeting with his Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-ho, at the Seoul Central Post Office, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

During his visit, the minister traveled to Daejeon, the home of Korea's science and innovation hub, and toured the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

Korea and Argentina have similar experiences with nuclear energy and thus have the potential for increased collaboration in this field. Argentina is recognized for its expertise in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Latin America and there is an opportunity for collaboration between Argentina and Korea with the latter actively seeking to export its nuclear technology.

In 2022, the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and Argentina's National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) conducted technical exchanges on the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in both countries.

"In this mission, one of the purposes is maintaining the link to the highest inter-institutional level given the importance of keeping up to date with the degree of progress and development of the Korean reactor," Filmus said.

"While Argentina lags behind in advancing in nuclear fusion, Korea possesses the technology, and with Argentina having a substantial number of researchers, there is ample room for cooperation between the two nations in this field."

Argentina is also constructing the CAREM-25 SMR project, which is set to be completed by 2027.

"We are considering SMRs as a way to tackle climate change and Korea and Argentina could learn from each other's experience," he said.

The minister proposed exchanging doctoral and post-doctoral students as a means of fostering the growth of researchers in the field of nuclear energy and advancing cooperation.

Argentina's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Daniel Filmus, right, gifts Lionel Messi's national football team jersey to Korean Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho at the Seoul Central Post Office, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

In terms of aerospace, the minister said that Argentina is the only country in Latin America to develop an Earth observation satellite with its own technology.

"Argentina has a keen interest in Korea's recent advancements in aerospace technology and sees potential for collaboration given Korea's success and capability for technology transfer," he said.

"In the future, (we) could favor the exchange of data between the Korean satellite mission KOMPSAT, which includes high-resolution optical instruments and X-band radar, and the Argentine constellation SAOCOM 1, with its L-band SAR radar. Our goal is to link up with the main world players in the space area to contribute significantly to the development of projects dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space."

Filmus also met with POSCO Holdings Vice President Yoo Byeong-og since the Korean company has made investments in lithium reserves in the Argentinian provinces of Salta and Catamarca.

The minister noted that Argentina holds 20 percent of the world's lithium deposits, presenting an opportunity for increased cooperation with Korea.

"One of the national challenges that we set ourselves in the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation 2030 is to promote and consolidate a path for the energy transition. This is where our lithium research agendas come in," he said.

Filmus said Argentina is eager to collaborate with Korean companies and researchers, including POSCO, in developing cutting-edge technology in the lithium sector to create added-value products and sustainable green mining practices.

Argentina is also a leader in automobile production in South America and is experiencing a growing demand for the transition to electric vehicles.

"It is important for us to collaborate with Korean companies to take advantage of the lithium resources in Argentina, in order to meet this demand and produce electric vehicle batteries and vehicles," the minister said.