Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

Enhance International Cooperation on Safety Regulation with European Countries Newly Adopting Nuclear Energy

- The NSSC Chairperson will participate in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference.

- Will hold bilateral meetings with three European Nuclear Regulatory bodies from the Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Sweden.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) will join the 68th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference (from September 16th to September 20th) and discuss cooperation with European countries, planning to expand their use of nuclear energy.

* Representatives from 178 IAEA member countries join the meeting every September (once a year) in Vienna, Austria, where the IAEA headquarters is located.

The Chairperson will have a bilateral meeting with Ms.Dana Drábová from the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) of the Czech Republic to discuss how to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.

The NSSC and SÚJB will pave the foundation for regulatory cooperation on nuclear safety through cooperation arrangements. At this bilateral meeting, both countries plan to share insights on more detailed safety regulatory cooperation, preparing for future nuclear reactor exports such as increasing the scope of collaboration and establishing regular consultative groups.

Moreover, Chairperson Yoo will have bilateral meetings with the Netherlands and Sweden who are preparing for new reactors, broadening international cooperation with many other European countries.

In particular, the NSSC will newly sign a cooperative arrangement with the Netherlands’s Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS)* to establish the basement for further cooperation between the two countries. The NSSC will also continue to hold meetings regularly with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM)* in the future and share experience on radioactive waste-related safety regulations.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Yoo will join the 54th International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA)* held on the 16th during the IAEA General Conference. It will be the opportunity to have a deep discussion on regulatory issues to enhance international nuclear safety, along with regulators from major nuclear-generating countries such as America and Japan.

* It is a consultative group launched in 1997 to discuss nuclear and radiation regulatory policies. It consists of regulators from 9 major nuclear power countries (South Korea, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, Sweden, and Spain).

Chairperson Yoo said, “Through these bilateral meetings with Netherlands, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, the three European countries who are actively considering the adoption of new nuclear power plants, the foundation of regulatory cooperation to strengthen international nuclear safety has been established.” He added, “The NSSC will continue to discuss with those nuclear safety regulators for closer cooperation.”

NSSC Released Result of Coolant Leakage Incident from Spent Fuel Bay of Wolsong Unit 4

□ At the 200th meeting of the Commission on September 12th, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter the NSSC) briefed the review of the coolant leakage incident from the spent fuel bay of Wolsong Unit 4 happened on June 22nd and released the result.

□ The NSSC dispatched specialists from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) right after the incident. Their investigation includes radiation impact assessment, precise analysis of radioactivity from seawater, fish, and others, the cause of the incident, and the recurrence prevention measures. This report is composed of 4 parts, and they are as follows:

1    The Amount of Coolant Leaked from Spent Fuel Bay and Radiation Impact

ㅇ The total amount of leaked coolant from the spent fuel bay is 2.45 tons*. It was mixed with component cooling water (18,956 tones) and discharged into the sea through drains. Its concentration was below the release limit**.

* At first, the KHNP reported that the amount of leakage was 2.3 tones on the day of the incident (June 22nd), considering how the water level of the storage bay and receiving bay had decreased. However, KINS modified the total amount by including the reduction at the transfer canal during its investigation.

** The main nuclide of the concentration, Tritium, is estimated to be 691 Bq/L. It is below the release limit of 40,000 Bq/L, stated in the NSSC Notice (based on radiation protection).

ㅇ It turned out that the released radiation due to the leakage consists of a maximum of 13GBq Tritium and 0.283MBq Beta/Gamma-emitting radionuclides. The anticipated offsite dose from the boundary of the restricted area* around nuclear power plants is 3.94x10-7mSv per year, 0.000039% of the dose limit for ordinary people (1mSv per year).

* The area that restricts ordinary people’s entrance and residence to prevent radiation hazards (Within 914m radius of Wolsong NPP)

2    Analysis on Environmental Samples Including Seawater

ㅇIn order to promptly measure the radioactive risks right after the incident, the NSSC checked the seawater sample through in-situ analysis by Pukyong National University. The concentration of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) was found to be below the lower bound of detection.

ㅇ Along with it, seawater, sub-marine sediments, and fish were collected from the nearby drains, and their radioactivity was precisely and independently analyzed. It was confirmed that environmental radiation was within the range of regular fluctuation maintained for the past five years.

* The range of regular fluctuation is based on The Annual Report on the Environmental Radiological Surveillance and Assessment around the Nuclear Facilities (2018~2023/KINS)

※ The seawater collected from Eupcheon Port and Jukjeon Port, where residents can access, was also analyzed, and the results were similar to Bongil (Tritium: Eupcheon Port 0.918 ~ 5.43 Bq/L, and Jukjeon Port 1.70 ~ 6.72 Bq/L)

3    Cause of Incident and Recurrence Preventive Measures

ㅇ It turned out that an inner gasket was installed improperly when a heat exchanger was under maintenance in April 2022. The pump replacement operation created a flow impact, making the gasket partially deviate.

* A round-shaped synthetic rubber component that secludes and seals coolant from seawater within a heat exchanger. (Internal diameter: 56cm / Width: 1cm)

※ Currently, Wolsong Units 2, 3, and 4 are in operation. Their heat exchangers from the spent fuel bays are all checked and confirmed the gaskets are located appropriately, which has not harmed their integrity.

ㅇ In order to prevent similar incidents from happening again, short-term measures, such as the improvement in gasket installation, an additional leakage test after the replacement, and measurements to stop leakage by adjusting the pressure on coolant and seawater within a heat exchanger, were taken.

ㅇ As a mid-to-long-term approach, measures to make the seawater cooling system

independent are under review for further improvements.

4    Nuclear Facility Safety and Adequacy of Vendors’ Initial Response

ㅇ The temperature of the coolant was checked to see if the incident affected the freezing function of the spent fuel bay. However, there was no significant change in temperature.

ㅇ It is also checked whether the KHNP’s initial response was adequate. Once there was a decrease in the water level, KHNP quickly isolated the heat exchanger to block further leakage, which was an appropriate response. However, the incident was reported not as soon as it outbroke but after the secondary radioactivity analysis, which requires a relevant countermeasure*.

* Through this countermeasure, if a similar incident/accident happens, reporting it to the NSSC will come first. Streamlining the procedure is recommended if needed.

ㅇ The NSSC will continuously monitor the operation conditions of nuclear facilities, including a heat exchanger in the spent fuel bay, and check whether the KHNP keeps putting effort into maintaining the recurrence of preventive measures.

NSSC Held 200th Meeting of Commission

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) held the 200th meeting of the Commission on September 12th to deliberate/resolve one agenda item and receive a report for another item.

(Deliberation/Resolution item 1) The Commissioners passed the bill on Construction Permit for Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 (draft), which the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) requested in January 2016.

- At the last 199th meeting of the Commission, the NSSC was briefed on the results of the safety review from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) and the preliminary review from the Special Committee on Nuclear Safety (the advisory committee to the NSSC).

- At the meeting, the Commissioners confirmed that Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 satisfied the requirements stated in Article 11 of the Nuclear Safety Act and granted construction permits.

※ Shinhanul Units 1 and 2 with the same reactor type (APR1400) are currently in commercial operation (each starting from December 2022 and April 2024) 

(Report item 1) The review result on the coolant leakage incident on June 22nd at the spent fuel storage of Wolsong Unit 4 was briefed at the meeting. Afterward, the Commissioners discussed radiological impact assessment, precise analysis of radioactivity from seawater, fish, and others, the cause of the incident, and recurrence preventive measures.

NSSC Approved Construction Permits for Shinhanul NPP Units 3 and 4

- Confirm that Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 have satisfied the requirements for a construction permit stated in the Nuclear Safety Act

At the 200th meeting of the Commission held on September 12th (Thurs), the Commissioners of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) decided to approve Construction Permits for Shinhanul NPP Units 3 and 4 (draft).

Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, are pressurized water reactors (APR1400) with 1400MW electrical output. They are the same reactor designs as Saeul Units 1 and 2 and Shinhanul Units 1 and 2, which are in operation.

Based on the safety review experience of preceding reactors, the NSSC will check the safety of Shinhanul Units 3 and 4. It will also mainly focus on the design differences as state-of-the-art technologies are newly applied.

In January 2016, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) applied for construction permits for Shinhanul Units 3 and 4. However, the progress stopped for about five years. Taking this into consideration, the NSSC checked the NPPs’ safety by modifying the application date of technical standards on the license documents (December 31st, 2013 → December 31st, 2021).

In particular, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), a technical support organization of the NSSC, reviewed the safety of construction sites. The review found no risk of causing geological hazards impacting NPP’s safety, such as earthquakes or ground subsidies. The possible highest seawater level (EL*.+6.76m), which earthquakes and tsunamis may cause, is lower than the land height (EL.+10m), guaranteeing the construction site is safe.

* Elevation: The value calculated by setting the average seawater level of Incheon as standard (0m)

Furthermore, the Special Committee on Nuclear Safety (the advisory committee to the NSSC), comprised of earthquake and other relevant specialists (15 members), preliminarily scrutinized the KINS review for about six months (March 2024 ~ August 2024), confirming that the result was adequate.

At the 199th meeting of the Commission on August 29th, 2024, the NSSC received a report on the safety review from KINS and the preliminary review from the Special Committee on Nuclear Safety. Meanwhile, at the 200th meeting, Commissioners confirmed that Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 satisfied the standards for a construction permit stipulated in Article 11 of the Nuclear Safety Act and approved them.

Afterward, the NSSC will confirm the safety of Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 by conducting a pre-service inspection to monitor the construction status and performance after issuing construction permits.

Check Medical Support System for Radiological Emergency

- The NSSC had a Roundtable with Radiation Emergency Medical Facilities.

About 70 personnel are from the National Radiation Emergency Medical Center and the primary and secondary radiation emergency medical facilities.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (hereinafter, the NSSC) met with radiological emergency treatment hospitals nationwide to check the medical response system preparing for radiological emergencies.

Chairperson Yoo Gukhee from the NSSC led a Meeting* with Heads and Managers from Radiation Emergency Medical Institutes on September 5th with 70 participants of heads, managers, and personnel from 31 primary and secondary radiological emergency medical institutes across the nation and the National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, installed within the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS).

* This meeting started in 2023 by the NSSC to secure the public's trust by diversifying communication between people of all levels of society while enlarging the understanding of safety.

<Radiological Emergency Medical Institute Roundtable Overview>

󰋮 Purpose: Discuss the future direction of the national radiological emergency medical treatment system targeting 31 related medical facilities nationwide and enhance communication by gathering their opinions on what they find difficult.

󰋮 Date/Place: September 5th, 2024, 15:00 / Yonsei Severance Building (Jung-gu, Seoul)

󰋮 Participants: The NSSC, KIRAMS, the primary and secondary radiation emergency medical facilities, and The Armed Force Medical Command (about 70 participants)

The NSSC established the National Radiation Emergency Medical Center in 2002 to promptly respond to radiological emergencies and others.

Currently, 31 radiological emergency medical facilities are selected and operated by region nationwide, including 14 primary and 17 secondary facilities.

The primary radiation emergency medical institutes are located near nuclear power plants for immediate action in the event of having radiation-exposed patients due to radiation leakage.

Meanwhile, secondary radiological emergency medical facilities are for specialized treatment of patients sent from primary facilities.

About 900 people, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, are considered as radiation emergency medical-care agents.

Participants at the roundtable openly shared difficulties and suggestions that radiation emergency medical facilities felt while joining relevant education and training. They also discussed how to advance the national radiological emergency medical treatment system in the future.

Chairperson Yoo said at the meeting, "The NSSC will establish a radiological emergency management system without blind spots and make it its highest priority to keep our people safe in case of radiological emergencies. Please serve as the nation's safety net with a grave sense of responsibility."

He also encouraged the participants by saying, "The NSSC will also look carefully whether there is anything we can support to solve difficulties that people in radiation emergency response may encounter at the site."

Allocate 276.9 Billion Won to Confirm Korea’s Nuclear Safety And Establish Foundation for Future Safety Regulations, Including SMR

- The NSSC Budget Proposal, Fiscal Year 2025 -

□ To guarantee nuclear safety and protect the public and environment from radiation hazards, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the NSSC) submits the 2025 budget proposal of 276.9 billion won, increased by 16 billion won year on year, to the National Assembly. The NSSC’s budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025 is as follows:

1 Confirm the Safety and Increase the Efficiency of Nuclear Power Plants Including Continued Operation

□ The NSSC will continue to check the safety of NPPs that have applied for continued operation, a construction permit, and an operating license and enhance the safety check efficiency for NPPs in operation. In order to do so, the NSSC compiled a budget of 62.2 billion won, up by 2 billion compared to 2024.

ㅇ The budget to review the safety of 10 NPPs* which applied for continued operation is reflected.

* Kori Units 2, 3, and 4 (Gijang, Busan), Hanbit Units 1 and 2 (Yeonggwang, Jeonnam), Hanul Units 1 and 2 (Uljin, Kyungbuk), and Wolsong Units 2, 3, and 4 (Gyeongju, Kyungbuk)

ㅇ The budget to streamline the system for checking the safety of 26 operating NPPs is included. It will allow a year-round ongoing inspection, which enables NPPs to be inspected during the operation instead of during maintenance periods.

ㅇ Through the allocated budget, the NSSC will review the safety of APR1000 type, which is expected to be applied for South Korea’s Standard Design Approval in the future to prepare its export to the Czech Republic. Preparation for future exports, such as verifying review requirements, will be followed.

2 Build the Framework to Check the Safety of Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR)

□ To develop a safe i-SMR under the government’s support, the NSSC will set a budget of 15.47 billion won for 2025, an increase of 8.7 billion won from 2024. By doing so, operators will be able to check the safety of NPPs before applying the SDA.

ㅇ Running the Regulatory Research Management Agency for SMR (established in March 2024) will increase the capacity for regulatory research. Uncertainty and trial and error will be minimized as pre-design reviews for possible permits and licenses proceed.

ㅇ The NSSC will make in-advance investments to establish a regulatory base for the safety

review of CP in the future. It is a part of the preparation to issue a CP for i-SMR, which will be

developed for the first time in Korea.

3 Secure Safety Regulatory Technologies for Non-Light Water Reactors

□ A budget of 2.9 billion was newly planned to acquire safety regulatory technologies for non-light

water reactors, such as Molten Salt Reactors, which are under the nation’s R&D program.

ㅇ The NSSC plans to prepare for and carry out a mid-and-long-term roadmap to secure

safety regulatory technologies that can be commonly applied to various types of non-light

water reactors while considering their unique designs compared to regular LWR.

4 Educate and Train More Experts on Nuclear Safety/Security/Non-proliferation

□ The budget to educate specialists is 4.2 billion won, rose by 1.9 billion won from last year

(2024). It is to prepare for continuous shifts in industry, such as developing advanced reactors

and promoting continued operation, and to train staff members on-site to become experts

based on international standards regarding nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation.

ㅇ The NSSC will strengthen the cooperation between government authorities, industry,

academia, and research institutions through the MOU to Train Nuclear Safety Specialists that

39 organizations signed in May 2024, including the NSSC and the KHNP.

ㅇ 10 universities (9 in 2024) and 4 graduate schools (2 in 2024) with nuclear/radiation-related

majors will adopt the Nuclear Safety Field Practicum in 2025. It will allow more nuclear

specialists to have integrated expertise.

5 Establish the Foundation for Emergencies such as Severe Radiation Accidents

□ A total of 7.3 billion won will be assigned in 2025 to effectively respond to massive radiation accidents and form a basis for emergency response in the field.

ㅇ The completion of building Hanul and Hanbit Off-site Emergency Management Centers (OEMCs) will supplement their emergency preparedness and response within the areas, preparing for large-sized accidents such as the Fukushima nuclear accident.

ㅇ Moreover, to protect local residents when radiation accidents happen, the NSSC and the local government must maintain the number of radiation protection substances that should be stored and managed according to the related legislation. A budget of 1.27 billion is set for this matter.

□ The 2025 NSSC budget plan will be confirmed after the National Assembly’s deliberation and resolution. The plan is to protect the public safely by putting nuclear and radiation safety upfront. The NSSC will put the utmost effort into letting its budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025 be reflected with the least changes to the 2025 budget deliberation of the National Assembly.