Nuclear Safety Committee Finalizes 2026 Budget at 292.7 Billion Won... Expands Investment in SMR Regulatory Research

5.7% Increase Over This Year’s Budget
Establishing Regulatory Framework for Non-Light Water SMRs

The 225th Nuclear Safety Committee meeting is in progress. (November 13, 2025) Nuclear Safety Committee

The Nuclear Safety Committee announced that the 2026 budget plan and fund management plan were finally approved at the National Assembly plenary session on December 2.

The total budget and fund for the Nuclear Safety Committee for next year is set at 292.7 billion won, which is similar to the government’s original proposal (292.6 billion won) after the National Assembly’s review process. This represents a 5.7% increase compared to this year’s budget.

To proactively secure technologies for future regulatory needs, the committee will allocate 119.1 billion won to research and development (R&D) projects, an increase of 17.4 billion won from this year.

In particular, 22.5 billion won will be invested in small modular reactors (SMR) to expand R&D aimed at promptly responding to regulatory requirements throughout the entire lifecycle of the innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR) project currently being pursued by the government, from design to decommissioning.

Additionally, the committee plans to establish a regulatory framework in advance to prepare for the development of various non-light water SMRs that do not use water as a coolant.

A budget of 63 billion won will be allocated to verify and inspect the safety of all domestic nuclear power plants throughout every stage, from design and construction to operation, continued operation, and decommissioning.

In particular, to ensure a thorough review of the imminent i-SMR standard design approval application, the committee will expand its pool of experts and focus 3.1 billion won on related costs.

Next year, construction of the Hanbit Regional Command Center (located in Buan County, North Jeolla Province, 31 km from Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant) will be completed. Including the completion of the Uljoo Regional Command Center (located in Uljoo County, Ulsan, 30 km from Saeul Nuclear Power Plant and 38 km from Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant) in May 2022, and the Hanul Regional Command Center (located in Uljin County, North Gyeongsang Province, 43 km from Hanul Nuclear Power Plant) in March 2025, a total of eight on-site and regional command centers will be established nationwide: five on-site command centers and three regional command centers.

The committee explained, "Once the nationwide regional radiological emergency response command system is completed next year, a field response system will be in place to swiftly and thoroughly protect residents in the event of a large-scale nuclear accident, such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster."

With the increase in direct overseas purchases arriving through airports, the committee plans to strengthen monitoring of suspected radioactive materials entering the country by allocating 370 million won to expand and operate radiation monitors at Incheon International Airport.

While 94% of express shipments are direct overseas e-commerce purchases, the monitoring rate was only about 72%. By adding five more monitors next year, the monitoring rate is expected to rise to approximately 80%.

Chairman Choi Wonho stated, "We will thoroughly prepare for execution, including establishing business plans starting this year, so that the public can experience the impact of the committee’s major policies," adding, "We will make nuclear and radiation safety our top priority and ensure the utmost protection of public safety."

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