Abstract This article examines the evolution of the Korean nuclear industry from the dynamic sectoral innovation system perspective, which integrates the sectoral innovation system (SIS) perspective and industrial dynamics. We analyze the Korean nuclear sector and conclude that it has developed dynamically in three stages: Imitation, Specialization, and Stabilization. During the Imitation stage, key public innovation actors emerged to absorb imported technologies, although interactive learning among them remained limited. In the Specialization stage, enough actors emerged to facilitate close collaboration and begin accumulating technological capabilities. In the Stabilization stage, Korea implemented a competent nuclear SIS, producing sufficient interactive learning among actors and attaining world-level technological capabilities.
Lim et al. (2026) studied this question.