500 Billion KRW Invested Over 5 Years in Radioactive Waste Disposal Infrastructure... Development of 'Korean-Style Small Modular Reactor'

9th Nuclear Promotion Committee Meeting Chaired by Prime Minister on 28th
Deliberation and Approval of 2nd Basic Plan for Mid- and Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management
Securing Phase 2 and 3 Treatment Facilities at Gyeongju Disposal Site
Launch of 'i-SMR' Development to Create Small Modular Reactor Market

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has decided to invest approximately 500 billion KRW over the next five years to expand the infrastructure necessary for radioactive waste disposal and to introduce a safety management system.

On the 28th, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun chaired the 9th Nuclear Promotion Committee at the Government Seoul Office, where the '2nd Basic Plan for the Management of Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste' was reviewed and approved.

This plan is a statutory plan established every five years for a 30-year period to present the policy direction for radioactive waste management.

The government analyzed that since the establishment of the 1st plan, there have been changes in policy conditions such as the phased reduction of nuclear power plants, the expected generation of various and large amounts of decommissioning waste, and safety requirements for disposal sites.

In the 2nd plan, the key tasks presented include expanding necessary infrastructure, strengthening capabilities for receiving, inspecting, and disposing of radioactive waste, and establishing a safety management system.

Specifically, following the completion of the first-phase disposal facility at the Gyeongju low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal site in 2014, the second phase (scheduled for completion in 2022) and third phase (scheduled for completion in 2026) facilities will be secured on the site as planned.

Status and Prospects of Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste Generation. (Source: Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Science and ICT)

As of the end of last year, the accumulated radioactive waste amounted to 145,213 drums. It is estimated to increase to about 220,000 drums by 2030. By 2040, it is expected to reach 390,000 drums, and by 2050, 500,000 drums.

The first-phase facility will be filled with 100,000 drums of low- and intermediate-level waste. The second-phase facility will dispose of 125,000 drums of low-level waste or below, and the third-phase facility will dispose of 160,000 drums of very low-level waste.

The timing and method related to the additional expansion of disposal facilities will be reconsidered during the establishment of the 3rd basic plan.

3rd Phase Expansion Plan. (Data from the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Science and ICT)

The capacity for receiving and inspecting radioactive waste, currently at about 4,000 drums per year, will be expanded to a maximum of 10,000 drums.

Detailed acceptance criteria by radioactive waste characteristics and levels, the introduction of a radioactive waste certification program, disposal standards for intermediate-level waste, and the development of radioactive waste transport containers will also be promoted together.

Detailed Implementation Plan for Small Modular Reactors (SMR). (Source: Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Science and ICT)

At the committee meeting that day, the 'Current Status and Future Promotion Strategy of Reactor Technology Development' was also presented. It was judged that the global nuclear power market restructuring has begun centered on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

SMRs refer to reactors with an electric output of 300 MWe or less that can be factory-manufactured and assembled on-site.

The government plans to promote the development of the 'i-SMR,' which stands for the Korean-type innovative small modular reactor.

To create an initial SMR market, the government will proceed with the first construction of the 'SMART' nuclear power plant developed so far and expand export markets through international cooperation.

Subsequently, through the development of innovative SMR technology, the government aims to secure technological superiority and develop future reactor systems to respond to market diversification.

A government official said, "To prepare for the diversification of the SMR market expanding from the power generation sector to non-power sectors, we will proactively secure non-light water SMR technology."

Past Nuclear Promotion Committee Meeting Details. (Source: Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Science and ICT)

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