The domestic management system for high-level radioactive waste (spent nuclear fuel) will go into full operation.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on the 16th that the Cabinet approved the enforcement decree of the Special Act on the Management of High-Level Radioactive Waste and the enforcement decree on the organization of the Committee for the Management of High-Level Radioactive Waste. With the special act set to take effect on the 26th, the related enforcement decrees have also been finalized.
The enforcement decree stipulates: ▲ procedures for the basic plan for high-level radioactive waste management (30-year units, established every five years) ▲ site survey, selection, and support for host regions ▲ collection of opinions and support for areas around storage facilities within nuclear power plant sites. The process of establishing the management plan includes public inspection for the general public and public hearings for local residents.
It also clarifies how special support funds are distributed to the facility site and surrounding areas. Surrounding areas are defined as cities, counties, and districts (si/gun/gu) that have jurisdiction over land and island areas within 5 kilometers of the facility site boundary, and if there is more than one jurisdiction, the special support funds will be distributed considering factors such as area and population. The same support applies to spent nuclear fuel storage facilities within nuclear power plant sites. This is the same scope as the existing regulations for support to areas around low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facilities and power plants.
At the same time, it establishes the organization and scope of duties of the management committee to be newly created under the prime minister. The committee will consist of nine members, including one Chairperson and one standing Commissioner. Its secretariat will have three departments—planning and communication, site selection, and infrastructure development—with a total of 35 staff. The selection of Commissioners is currently underway.
So far, the government has made nine attempts to select a site for a radioactive waste disposal facility in places such as Uljin, Yeongdeok, Anmyeondo, and Buan, but all failed. In two rounds of public deliberation that followed, the enactment of a special act and the creation of an independent committee were recommended, and with the enforcement decree now finalized, the system will be launched in earnest.
A Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official said, "Finland plans to operate the world's first high-level radioactive waste disposal facility in 2026, and Sweden and France have also selected sites and are proceeding with follow-up procedures," adding, "With this enforcement decree in place, Korea has taken its first step toward securing a disposal facility through scientific and democratic procedures."