Government and Finland Form 'Radioactive Waste Disposal Alliance'... Strengthening Technical Cooperation

Ministry of Industry Holds 'Director-General Level Bilateral Cooperation Meeting' with Finland

Waste stored in the interim storage building within the Gyeongju intermediate and low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The government is strengthening technological cooperation with Finland, which is the world's first country to secure a permanent disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste. Through policy coordination with Finland, the government intends to accelerate the establishment of a domestic radioactive waste disposal facility (RWDF).

On the 28th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it held a director-level bilateral cooperation meeting with Finland's Ministry of Employment and the Economy via video conference. The Ministry agreed to enhance technological cooperation on RWDF, including joint research and development (R&D) with Finland, and to exchange opinions on the policies of both countries. Additionally, the Ministry received consultation from Finland on the 'High-Level Radioactive Waste R&D Technology Roadmap' announced in July this year.

Overview of Finland's High-Level Radioactive Waste Permanent Disposal Facility.
[Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]

The reason the Ministry decided to strengthen cooperation with Finland on RWDF is that Finland was the first in the world to secure a permanent disposal facility. Previously, Finland began site selection for a high-level radioactive waste disposal facility in 1983 and finalized the site in 2001. Subsequently, construction of the disposal facility at a depth of 450 meters underground started in 2016, with plans to commence full operation from 2025. Finland's technologies related to transportation, storage, and disposal of high-level radioactive waste are evaluated as the world's highest level.

Accordingly, the Ministry plans to also share Finland's experience in securing the disposal facility. In particular, the Ministry intends to refer to Finland's policy on securing public acceptance, which resolved local community opposition during the site selection process.

Park Dong-il, Director of the Nuclear Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who attended the meeting, said, "There is a clear global trend toward increasing the utilization of nuclear power," adding, "To actively utilize nuclear power, securing a high-level radioactive waste disposal facility is an essential prerequisite." He further stated, "We will closely cooperate with Finland, a leading country in the disposal facility sector, to promote the establishment of a permanent disposal facility that ensures scientific safety and public acceptance."

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