JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and South Korea have jointly invested more than SR487 million ($129.8 million) in developing and designing compact-sized nuclear plants.
The aim of investing in the SMART (System-Integrated Modular Advanced Reactor Technology) nuclear plants is to diversify energy sources.
The pre-project engineering to build two units of SMART will be completed in November this year, the South Korean Ambassador Byung Wook Jo said.
Jo said that the Kingdom and Korea are poised for a rapid advance in bilateral relations with strong economic, cultural, commercial and strategic links.
“Saudi Arabia and Korea have maintained cordial relations and a remarkable friendship for more than half a century. Korea has played a key role in the development of infrastructure of the Kingdom, while Riyadh has been the main energy provider to us,” he said.
He said pre-project engineering for the nuclear plants is a joint process between Korean and Saudi engineers at the KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) in South Korea. “As a part of an existing memorandum of understanding, KAERI invited Saudi engineers and experts to join its team in the Korean city of Daejon, where 48 Saudi engineers are working with Korean experts,” Jo said.
Trade between the two countries totaled $21.3 billion in 2016 and $24.7 billion in 2017. “This trade volume has been increasing steadily over the past years and reached a total of $14.8 billion for the first half of 2018, which is 19.3 percent increase compared with that of the same period in 2017,” he said.
Jo said that a Korean mega cultural exhibition will be organized in Riyadh to acquaint Saudis with Korean culture, history and heritage. The exhibition will be officially inaugurated on Dec. 27 and will run until March 15 next year.
KSA, South Korea invest SR487m in nuclear projects to diversify energy
KSA, South Korea invest SR487m in nuclear projects to diversify energy
- Jo said that a Korean mega cultural exhibition will be organized in Riyadh to acquaint Saudis with Korean culture, history and heritage
Celestial spectacle in KSA’s north on first day of Ramadan
- Venus-crescent moon alignment visible in Northern Borders
- Meteorology center issuing swift weather alerts for pilgrims
ARAR/JEDDAH: The holy month of Ramadan has commenced in the Kingdom with a striking astronomical display in the Northern Borders Region, setting a serene tone for the month, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition, the National Center for Meteorology has confirmed its readiness to support pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.
On Tuesday evening in Arar there was a rare alignment of the planet Venus with the slender crescent moon marking the first day of Ramadan.
Appearing shortly after sunset, the crescent shimmered low on the western horizon above Venus — one of the brightest celestial bodies — in a display enhanced by clear skies.
While the conjunction is a recurring astronomical phenomenon caused by the apparent proximity of the two bodies as viewed from Earth, its coincidence with the start of the holy month added a special aesthetic and spiritual dimension to the atmosphere in the north, the SPA said.
Meanwhile, as the faithful began fasting, the NMC announced the readiness of its observatories at the Kingdom’s airports to manage increased flight traffic and ensure aviation safety.
The NCM’s CEO Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam said there would be round-the-clock weather monitoring for Makkah, Madinah, and the roads leading to the two holy mosques.
To ensure pilgrims have real-time access to information, the NCM has integrated its data with the Nusuk and Tawakkalna smart applications. Ten-day forecasts and alerts will also be available via the Anwaa app and on guidance boards along highways.
The center has 14 media platforms to deliver swift weather alerts, ensuring high standards of security and logistical support throughout the season, the SPA reported.
