SEOUL, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- South Korea is aiming to grab at least 20 percent of the global market for nuclear reactors in the next 20 years, the government announced Wednesday.
The South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy says the country's goal is to become one of the world's top three atomic energy powers by the year 2030, the Yonhap News Agency reports.
"The strategy reflects predictions that nuclear energy has considerable growth potential on par with autos, semiconductors and shipbuilding," said Kim Young-hak, vice minister for Knowledge Economy.
Kim spoke to reporters following a meeting on South Korea's nuclear industry chaired by President Lee Myung-bak.
He said by 2030, South Korea should join the United States and France as one of the world's leading builders of nuclear reactors.
The country aims to export 80 nuclear reactors by 2030, he said.
Russia, Canada and Japan are currently the only nations along with the United States and France to export nuclear reactors.
