Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

Press Release
Release Date: June 29, 2026
Contact: Choi Su-jin, Director of Nuclear Safety Division (02-397-7281)
Lee Kyung-min, Deputy Director (02-397-7285)

NSSC checks the preparedness of nuclear facilities
for natural disasters during the summer season

Check the results of a special inspection for natural disasters such as heavy rain and typhoons

Ask for prompt implementation of measures for areas that require improvement

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Choi Won-ho, hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) held a meeting on June 29th (Mon) to review the results of a special inspection of nuclear facilities, in preparation for summer natural disasters.

This meeting was held to comprehensively review the results of the special inspection conducted from May 22nd to 29th. It covered the safety management status of each facility regarding natural disasters, such as heavy rainfall, typhoons, and lightning strikes; the follow-up measures needed for improvement; and the emergency preparedness of nuclear licensees.

The NSSC confirmed, based on the results of this special inspection, that nuclear facilities are generally maintaining a fine safety management status.

However, it was confirmed that some facilities require improvements, such as removing foreign substances from drainage channels and complementing the management of measuring instruments. Items that could be addressed immediately on-site have been completed. For issues requiring further action, temporary measures and maintenance plans have been established to ensure prompt implementation.

Chairperson Choi Won-ho said, “This year, due to worsening El Niño, multiple erratic weather events are expected globally. Even during extreme heavy rainfall, there should be no harm to nuclear facilities. Thorough inspection and management would be required.”

NSSC Allowed Criticality of Hanul Unit 2 During Periodic Inspection


- Confirmed that the technical standards regarding a fire barrier or a passive autocatalytic recombiner are satisfied -

On June 26th 2026, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Choi Won-ho, hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) allowed the criticality* of Hanul Unit 2, following periodic inspections that began on May 20th, 2026.

* A state in which a chain reaction of nuclear fission continuously occurs in a reactor, resulting in the number of neutrons produced being equal to the number of neutrons that disappear, thereby reaching equilibrium

The NSSC tested 85 out of 95 required items that must be completed before reaching criticality during the regular inspection. It was confirmed that the reactor could safely reach its criticality in the future.

During this regular inspection, the NSSC confirmed that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. has appropriately reinforced and newly installed a fire barrier to improve the fire resistance of safety-related cables.

In addition, it was confirmed that the installation status and hydrogen removal performance of the newly replaced passive autocatalytic recombiner (PAR)* for design basis accidents meet the relevant technical standards.

* A device that removes hydrogen, generated during the design-basis accident, without additional power or control

The NSSC has approved Hanul Unit 2 to reach criticality based on the results of regular inspections to date and will conduct final safety confirmation through follow-up tests (10 tests) including a power ascension test.

2026 First-half-of-Year National Radiation Safety Managers Forum


Held the forum twice each year, in the first and second halves, starting in 2021

Based on radiation-related incidents, improving on-site safety management

Re-emphasize the importance of compliance with basic safety rules amid the increasing use of radiation.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Choi Won-ho, hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) launched the ‘2026 first-half-of-year national radiation safety managers forum’ (hereinafter referred to as the forum) on June 26th (Fri) at the Seoul Tourism Plaza in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Since 2021, this forum has been held twice a year, in the first and second halves of the year. The forum has been an essential communication venue for radiation safety managers* across the nation, working in various fields such as industry, medicine, and research, to gather together, strengthen their professional capabilities, and expand safety culture.

* Managers take responsibility for practical safety management work at the operation sites of radiation-use institutions, including exposure management and radiation hazard prevention for on-site workers.

In particular, this forum is for sharing on-site cases and experiences and applying them in the field, thereby substantially improving the level of radiation safety management. The number of violations of the Nuclear Safety Act identified during regular inspections by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) has gradually decreased from 72 cases in 2021 to 65 cases in 2025.

At this forum, KINS shared the major types of regulatory violations confirmed during the regular inspections in the first half of this year and urged safety managers to exercise additional caution. It also introduced the core inspection items* for this year’s regular inspections.

* (Manufacturing institution) Whether it complies with safety management procedures in the process of manufacturing radiation generators

(Medical institution) Whether there are blind spots inside the facilities with radiation generators, etc.

Along with it, safety managers from each field, such as industry, medicine, and radiographic testing, had time to share their know-how, accumulated while improving site safety management at affiliated institutions, based on radiation incidents that happened at other organizations.

In the following panel discussion, human error was identified as the main cause of workplace radiation exposure incidents, and participants discussed measures to reduce it and practical improvements to prevent on-site mistakes.

The NSSC Secretary General, Cho Chung-ah, commented on the recent exposure incident at the non-destructive inspection site, where a worker’s exposure exceeded the standard value. “In the field, basic safety rules are most important. Penalties for violations of laws and regulations are insufficient to fundamentally change the on-site safety culture. I look forward to this forum helping the site significantly enhance its safety culture,” she added.

2026-10th Meeting of Commission


The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Choi Won-ho, hereinafter referred to as NSSC) held its 2026-10th Meeting of the Commission on June 25th (Thurs) to deliberate on and resolve two agenda items.

Deliberation·Resolution Item 1

The NSSC deliberated and resolved the enactment and amendment drafts listed below. It is to reflect the law amendment to subordinate legislation (8 items*), including the 「Enforcement Decree of the Nuclear Safety Act」, following the promulgation of the 「Nuclear Safety Act」 (Feb 2026, May 2026), to mandate the appointment of a nuclear fuel material safety manager and the establishment of a preliminary review system for reactors and relevant facilities.

*【Amendment】 「Enforcement Decree of the Nuclear Safety Act」, 「Enforcement Rules of the Nuclear Safety Act」, 「Regulation on Registration Criteria and Inspection of Dosimetry Reading Services」, and 「Detailed Guidelines on Administrative Dispositions and Fines under Laws and Regulations of the Nuclear Safety Commission」

【Enactment】 「Notice on Style Guidelines for Nuclear Fuel Material Safety Reports」, 「Notice on Style Guidelines for Safety Management Regulations Regarding Permission for Use of Nuclear Fuel Materials」, 「Notice on Exemption Criteria for Regular Inspections of Nuclear Fuel Material Users」, and 「Notice on Designation of Agencies for Workplace Education of Radiation Workers and Occasional Entry Personnel」

① (Nuclear Fuel Material Safety Regulations) Procedures and qualification requirements for nuclear fuel users to appoint nuclear fuel material safety managers are specified. The documents submitted during the permit application process (five types*) are systematically consolidated into a Nuclear Fuel Material Safety Report to improve user convenience and review efficiency. This report includes the required information and writing guidelines.

* Technical capability description required to use nuclear fuel materials, guidelines on radiation shielding, etc.

② (Preliminary Review of Reactors and Related Facilities) The details necessary for implementation, such as the subject, scope, procedures, and methods of the preliminary review, introduced for new reactor designs, have been specified.

③ (Radioactive contamination investigation) As the basis for the NSSC to investigate the possibility of domestic radioactive contamination caused by overseas nuclear facility operations was established, measures such as reorganizing the existing Central Radiation Monitoring Station into the National Radiation Monitoring Center were taken.

④ (Fine) The relevant provisions in subordinate legislation have been revised, including amendments to the cited provisions for violations. The upper limit of fines has been subdivided* into five levels for each violation type under the 「Nuclear Safety Act」.

* (Original) 30 million won → (Revised) 30 million won, 20 million won, 16 million won, 9 million won, 6 million won

⑤ (Radiation regulation) It includes system improvements, such as amending* the lens dose limit for radiation workers, subject to the 「Nuclear Safety Act」, to align with international standards.

* (Previous) 150 mSv per year → (Revised) within the range not exceeding 50 mSv per year, 100 mSv over 5 years

This enactment and amendment will be finalized after administrative procedures, such as consultations with relevant agencies and the public announcement of the bill, are completed.

Deliberation·Resolution Item 2

The NSSC deliberated and resolved the amended draft of three* NSSC Notices, which cite domestic and international industrial standards, including the Korea Electric Power Industry Code (KEPIC).

* 「Regulations on Safety Class and Class-specific Standards for Reactor Facilities」, 「Regulations on In-Service Inspection of Reactor Facilities」, 「Standards on Detailed Requirements for Quality Assurance of Reactor Facilities」

Under the current Notice, both domestic and international industrial standards apply to the detailed technical requirements. Following technical development, this amendment reflects the revised industrial standards and the application limits (requirements that the regulatory body additionally requests when adopting industrial standards). These apply to safety-class equipment, in-service inspection of safety-related equipment, and quality assurance for reactor facilities.

This amendment will be finalized after completing procedures such as consulting with relevant agencies and issuing an administrative notice.

NSSC Chairperson Inspected Safety Management on Radiation in Natural Environment of Ulsan


- On-site inspection of a company that handles natural radioactive materials

- Checked the operation status and monitoring system for radiation monitors at Ulsan Port

Chairperson Choi Won-ho of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (hereafter referred to as the NSSC) visited a natural radioactive material handling company (Cosmo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and the Ulsan Port Authority, located in Ulsan Metropolitan City, on the 19th (Friday) to inspect the site for radiation safety management in the natural environment.

Cosmo Chemical Co., Ltd. is the only titanium dioxide pigment manufacturer in Korea. During the replacement of manufacturing equipment, by-products* such as ore scale, which adheres inside the equipment, are generated. These by-products are detached from the replaced equipment and processed, after samples are collected and the components are analyzed.

* Radioactive byproducts generated during the natural radioactive material handling process

Chairperson Choi inspected the current status of the sorting and storage procedures for processing by-products and asked, saying, "Even if the risk to workers is relatively low, thorough safety management from the point of generation to treatment must be ensured."

Next, Chairperson Choi visited the Ulsan Port Authority to receive a report on the current operational status of Ulsan Port and the performance of the cargo radiation monitors. He also reviewed the response procedures, including conducting secondary searches and isolating cargo, when a monitoring alarm occurs at the pier entrance.

Ulsan Port is the largest energy port in Korea, handling 160 million tons of liquid cargo annually, including petrochemical products. Currently, seven radiation monitors are installed at six piers. Through this, the relevant agencies, such as the Ulsan Port Authority, monitor* whether imported cargo contains radioactive materials.

* (Operating performance of monitors at Ulsan Port) Up to date from 2013, excluding 2 cases (overseas return) in 2018, there have been no instances of radioactive hazardous materials being detected.

Chairperson Choi said, “As Ulsan Port is transitioning into an eco-friendly energy logistics hub from the traditional petrochemical-centered port, please monitor radioactive materials thoroughly so that they would not enter the country.”

First Pilot Program of Auto-Flight Illegal Drone Detection Radar for NPP Physical Protection Drill


The NSSC checked the site for physical protection drill at the Wolsong NPP ahead of the full operation of the radars at the end of June

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Choi Won-ho, hereafter referred to as the NSSC) observed a physical protection drill at the Wolsong NPP (located in Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju) on the 16th (Tuesday), simulating an illegal drone intrusion. It also inspected the drone detection and response equipment, including radars, which are being introduced for the first time at the Wolsong NPP, as well as the physical protection facilities.

This site inspection was prepared to let the NSSC directly review the response system for illegal drones at nuclear facilities, in preparation for drone threats around nuclear sites that have recently been confirmed by the drone attack on the Barakah NPP in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Nuclear operators must establish and operate protective equipment to prepare for airborne threats, such as illegal drones, in accordance with the ‘Act on Physical Protection and Radiological Emergency' (hereinafter referred to as the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Act). They must also establish contingency plans and conduct physical protection training regularly*.

* Full training: once a year, Partial training: twice a year

Currently, RF scanners, jammers, and other equipment for detecting and disabling drones are deployed and operated at each domestic NPP site to respond to illegal drone activity. As drone technology advances and the variety of models increases, nuclear operators are continuously supplementing and expanding their counter-drone equipment.

※ (RF scanner) Equipment that tracks the communication signals between the drone and the drone controller to detect the direction and position of the drone and controller

※ (Radar) A system that measures an object's distance, speed, and direction by emitting radio waves and receiving the reflected signals that bounce back from the object

※ (Jammer) A disabling device that disrupts communication on the drone's control frequency to interfere with flight or force it to return to its original position.

During this Wolsong NPP training, a radar capable of detecting various illegal drones, including auto-flight drones, was piloted at a domestic NPP for the first time, supplementing the detection system based on existing RF scanners. Accordingly, the NSSC directly confirmed the procedure and response system for protection personnel to detect and identify illegal drones using radar devices.

The radar is scheduled to be fully operational at the end of June, following additional performance tests and training for operational personnel. A comprehensive evaluation of operational performance will be conducted to develop measures to support effective installation and deployment at other NPP sites.

“I expect improved detection performance against illegal drones around NPPs by introducing radars at the Wolsong NPP site,” said Chung-ah Cho, Secretary General of the NSSC. “The NSSC will continue to monitor and manage the state to ensure that nuclear operators can consistently secure detection · response equipment and strengthen response capacity against illegal drones.”