An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team has concluded a 12-day mission to South Korea at the request of the Korean Government. The mission was hosted by the Nuclear Safety & Security Commission (NSSC), the national regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety.
South Korea has a comprehensive nuclear safety regulatory framework covering nuclear and radiation facilities and activities. Its 26 operating nuclear power reactors, situated at five sites, generate about one-third of its electricity. Four reactors are under construction, and two are in permanent shutdown. Used fuel is currently stored NPP sites. Korea also uses radiation sources in industrial, scientific and research applications.
The IRRS team, comprising 17 senior regulatory experts from 14 IAEA member states and four IAEA staff members, reviewed the regulatory oversight of facilities and activities using nuclear material and radiation sources, as well as emergency preparedness and response, decommissioning, and occupational and public exposure control.
“Korea has made significant strides in establishing an independent regulatory body, improving nuclear and radiation safety, and fostering a strong safety culture nationwide,” said IRRS team leader Laura A Dudes, Regional Administrator for Region II of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). “We observed that Korean authorities are committed to further strengthening these efforts, and we hope the mission’s findings will provide valuable support.”
The team met with NSSC Chair Yoo Gukhee as well as senior management and interviewed staff members and related representatives from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation & Control (KINAC), the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD).
The team visited and observed inspections by national authorities at various facilities: An NPP in operation and one under construction in Ulju, Ulsan; a research reactor, a facility holding radiation sources and a fuel cycle facility in Daejeon; and a radioactive waste management facility in Gyeongju.
The IRRS team noted good performance in several areas:
The close cooperation and strong relationships between the NSSC, KINS and KINAC, particularly at regional offices, enhances the effectiveness of the regulatory programme in ensuring nuclear safety and security.
The regulatory body shows a strong commitment to knowledge management and safety by training over 7,000 students in nuclear safety through university cooperation and offering nuclear safety and security education through international schools for countries planning to adopt nuclear energy.
By providing RADLOT, a tracking system for the secure use of industrial radiography devices, KINS enables the secure, nationwide use of these materials.
Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement include:
The Government should revise the national policy and strategy for safety to include all elements required by IAEA safety standards.
Nuclear and radiological laws should clearly state that the person or organisation managing a facility or activity is primarily responsible for its safety.
The NSSC should develop additional procedures and processes to ensure their management systems remain robust and support effective regulatory oversight for safety in the future.
“With growing global demand for nuclear energy, governments and regulators must adopt sustainable approaches to enhance safety frameworks,” said Anna Hadjuk Bradford, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Installation Safety. “The Government and its regulatory bodies have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment by inviting this IRRS mission.”
Yoo Gukhee noted: “Since its establishment as an independent body in 2011, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has worked to establish a robust regulatory framework while actively adapting to a changing environment.” He added that the IRRS mission “provided a valuable opportunity for us to reflect on what is needed to advance Korea’s regulatory system from an international perspective”.
The final mission report will be provided to the Government in about three months. The Government plans to make the report public.
