(KPL/Yonhap) Republic of Korea has won a 52 million-euro (US$59.6 million) deal to supply a key component for the construction of an international experimental fusion reactor being built in France, the science ministry here said Thursday.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed to provide power supply systems for the reactor, part of Seoul's continued contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

It builds on a previous procurement contract under which Republic of Korea also provided power supply systems to the ITER initiative.

Under the new deal, Republic of Korea will deliver power converter systems for the reactor's superconducting magnets over a period of seven years and six months.

The science ministry said South Korean companies involved in the earlier contract will also participate in the latest one, contributing more advanced design and manufacturing technology, along with their operational expertise.

"This contract is expected to further solidify Korea's presence in the global technology ecosystem by leveraging its advanced design, manufacturing and system integration capabilities accumulated in the ITER power supply sector," a ministry official said.

Since joining the ITER project in 2007, Republic of Korea has acquired core technologies, including 61 patent applications and 52 registered patents, through the procurement of nine core components and pieces of equipment used in nuclear fusion reactors, according to the ministry.

In total, the country has achieved contracts worth 1 trillion won (US$724.5 million) from the ITER organization and participating countries.

KPL