Korea National Oil Corporation and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Sign Agreement to Develop High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Technology

After the signing ceremony for mutual cooperation on the development of high-level radioactive waste management technology, Kim Dong-seop, President of Korea National Oil Corporation (left), and Park Won-seok, Director of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, are taking a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Doo-yeol] Korea National Oil Corporation and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 14th to develop high-level radioactive waste management technology.

The agreement includes activating human and academic exchanges for matters such as the development of high-level radioactive waste management technology, site investigation technology development, and mutual technology development for joint research.

Globally, the importance of securing management facilities for the safe and permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste is being emphasized, and South Korea aims to secure a permanent disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste by 2050.

To this end, research on deep geological disposal technology using cavern methods is underway, but due to future uncertainties of deep disposal technology, alternative technology of deep borehole disposal is also gaining attention.

The Korea National Oil Corporation has directly conducted hundreds of oil development drilling operations and successfully drilled a deep borehole to a maximum depth of 5,800 meters. In particular, based on various drilling experiences in domestic deep layers, it has closely understood the overall distribution and characteristics of domestic rock and strata.

The Korea National Oil Corporation plans to actively cooperate in developing alternative disposal technologies for high-level radioactive waste management by utilizing this technology and experience.

Korea National Oil Corporation President Kim Dong-seop said, “The corporation will actively cooperate with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute by utilizing the accumulated technology and experience, and contribute to the successful implementation of the national high-level radioactive waste management policy that guarantees safety based on scientific rationality.”

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Director Park Won-seok said, “The institute is researching various high-level radioactive waste disposal methods to ensure public safety,” and added, “We will continue to develop technology suitable for Korea’s unique deep environment in cooperation with the Korea National Oil Corporation.”

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