The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission moved to overhaul the "ongoing inspection" system that conducts safety checks while nuclear plants are in operation. Previously, plants were shut down for periodic inspections, but ongoing inspections perform some checks during operation to improve inspection efficiency.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said it held a meeting on the 11th and reviewed and approved revisions to subordinate statutes under the Nuclear Safety Act that include these measures. The revisions are intended to supplement the inspection items and methods of the ongoing inspection system, and the ongoing inspections, currently being piloted at Saeul Unit 2, are set to be expanded to all nuclear plants starting in 2027.
The revisions also include measures to strengthen inspections in operations. However, for reactor facilities that share a final safety analysis report (FSAR), operators may submit a single periodic inspection application to reduce administrative burden.
Measures were also prepared to ensure nuclear operators manage reactor facility maintenance more systematically. Operators must select equipment subject to management, set performance criteria, and establish and implement a maintenance effectiveness management plan.
The revisions will be finalized after administrative procedures including collecting opinions from related agencies and a public notice of legislation.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission also reviewed and approved an application by the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) to change the construction and operation permit for the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste cave disposal facility. The change includes a plan to build a radioactive waste inspection building to secure inspection and receipt storage space for 10,000 drums in preparation for increased receipt volumes of radioactive waste.