Progress in developing the K-DEMO device configuration

K-DEMO is being studied by South Korean researchers as a follow-on to ITER and the next step toward the construction of a commercial fusion power plant. The K-DEMO mission defines a staged approach targeting operation with an initial testing phase for plasma facing components and critical operating systems to be followed by a second phase which centers on upgrading the in-vessel components for operation at 200 to 600 MWe with a planned 70% availability. This paper reviews the general arrangement of the K-DEMO device core, the novel configuration concept for the vertical maintenance of large in-vessel segments and describes the arrangement and maintenance of planned interfacing auxiliary systems and services - design features which impact the ability to operate with a staged mission strategy that ends with high availability operations.