The Nuclear Safety Commission will invest 55.878 billion won in this year's nuclear safety research and development (R&D) project. By starting the development of verification technology for small modular reactor (SMR) safety regulations and foundational technology for nuclear safety regulations, it aims to enhance its response capabilities regarding future nuclear power technology.
The Nuclear Safety Commission noted that it finalized the '2025 Nuclear Safety Research and Development Project Plan' during the '206th Nuclear Safety Commission Meeting' held on the 9th.
This year's nuclear safety R&D project consists of a total of nine projects, combining seven existing projects and two new ones. The existing projects will receive an investment of 45.549 billion won, while 8.925 billion won has been allocated for the new projects.
The new project, 'Development of Basic and Foundational Technology for Nuclear Safety Regulation,' will receive an investment of 2.925 billion won. It plans to respond to future issues in nuclear safety, including the regulatory demand for non-light water reactors. Light water reactors are those that use water as a coolant, and the majority of nuclear power plants have been developed in this form. However, recently, non-light water reactors, which use materials such as sodium or molten salt instead of water as coolant, have been gaining attention as next-generation reactors.
Another new project, 'Development of Safety Regulation Verification Technology for Small Modular Reactors Throughout Their Lifecycle,' will receive an investment of 3.3 billion won. The goal is to proactively secure regulatory technologies related to SMRs in preparation for the construction and operation of innovative small modular reactors (i-SMR).
During the meeting, the R&D project plan and the 'ARP1400 Nuclear Power Plant (Shinwool 1 and 2, Sinhanul 1 and 2) Accident Management Plan' were approved together. The accident management plan includes measures to prevent escalation in the event of an accident, including severe accidents.
Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation submitted accident management plans for 28 nuclear power plants, and their appropriateness was confirmed by the Nuclear Safety Expert Committee, composed of 15 experts, and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety.