Safety Evaluation of Radioactive Waste Management Facilities Every 10 Years... Amendment to the Nuclear Safety Act

Establishment of Decommissioning and Closure Regulatory Procedures
Introduction of Design Approval and Manufacturing Inspection System for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Containers
Transition of Radioactive Waste Handling to Safety Assurance Regulatory Framework

Radioactive waste being transferred in concrete containers to an underground silo at a low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] From now on, safety evaluations of intermediate- and low-level radioactive waste management facilities will be conducted every 10 years.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced that the "Nuclear Safety Act Amendment Bill" containing this content passed the Cabinet meeting on the 1st.

The amendment bill was prepared to ensure the safe operation of radioactive waste storage, treatment, disposal facilities, and auxiliary facilities.

By introducing a "periodic safety evaluation system," the safety of intermediate- and low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities will be comprehensively evaluated once every 10 years.

Since the current regulatory system is mainly focused on radioactive waste handling activities, it was necessary to clarify the basis for mandating safety assurance measures, which was acknowledged.

The amendment bill also includes provisions regarding dismantling and closure procedures in preparation for the termination of radioactive waste management facility operations.

There was a need to advance the regulatory system in accordance with international standards to prepare for the long-term operation of radioactive waste management facilities and anticipated regulatory demands.

This is the reason for establishing dismantling and closure procedures in preparation for future radioactive waste operation termination.

The bill also includes the establishment of a design approval and manufacturing inspection system for spent nuclear fuel storage casks.

This is to sufficiently verify the safety of storage casks before the construction and operation permits of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities.

An official from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission stated, "The bill is scheduled to be implemented after deliberation by the National Assembly," and added, "Once the amended bill is enforced, the regulatory system related to radioactive waste, including spent nuclear fuel, will be significantly improved and operated more safely."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.