South Korea's Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) Sets Nuclear Fusion Record

Exam-focused facts from the 3 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) artificial sun sustained plasma in high-confinement mode for 102 seconds.
The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) maintained the plasma temperature at 100 million degrees centigrade for 48 seconds.
KSTAR utilises a doughnut-shaped vessel called a tokamak, which employs superconducting magnetic forces to trap plasma.
The reactor's stability was improved through the installation of tungsten divertor technology, which replaced previous carbon divertors to better resist high heat.
The KSTAR Research Center, under Director Dr Si-Woo Yoon, has set a future goal of sustaining plasma at 100 million degrees centigrade for 300 seconds.