KORAD Holds Completion Ceremony for Radioactive Waste Analysis Center
KORAD Holds Completion Ceremony for Radioactive Waste Analysis Center– Pledges to provide safe radioactive waste management services through transparent and scientific verification –The Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD, President Sung-don Cho) held a completion ceremony on the 5th for the Radioactive Waste Analysis Center at the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Munmu Daewang-myeon, Gyeongju, with officials from the Ministry of Climate and Energy, Gyeongju City, and local residents in attendance.The Analysis Center was established to strengthen KORAD’s in-house radionuclide analysis capabilities following an error in radioactive waste nuclide analysis in 2018, with a total project cost of 13.4 billion KRW.KORAD plans to complete the installation of equipment required for nuclide analysis, sample pretreatment, and radiation safety management by the end of this year and to begin operation in January next year.In the first year of operation, the center will begin radionuclide analysis for approximately 400 drums of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste annually, and will gradually increase its analytical capacity in view of the future receipt of decommissioning waste from nuclear power plants.KORAD aims to secure advanced analytical technologies and capabilities so that the center can not only verify a wide range of radionuclides but also develop standards for nuclide analysis.Once full radionuclide analysis capabilities are established for all radioactive waste received at the repository, KORAD will be able to re-verify the radionuclide analysis results provided by waste generators, which is expected to enhance the safety of the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility and increase public acceptance of radioactive waste safety.In particular, as analytical data are accumulated, they are expected to be utilized for the development of next-generation disposal technologies promoted by KORAD, safety assessments, and the securing of radionuclide analysis data for decommissioning waste from nuclear power plants.KORAD also plans to help vitalize the radioactive waste industry ecosystem by transferring radioactive waste nuclide analysis technologies to private companies, providing access to analytical infrastructure, and fostering skilled professionals.Meanwhile, on the same day, President Sung-don Cho convened an on-site board meeting at the low- and intermediate-level disposal facility and, together with outside directors, inspected the operation status of the Analysis Center equipment, emergency response and monitoring systems, and overall safety management.President Sung-don Cho stated, “KORAD will provide radioactive waste management services that the public can trust and feel safe about through transparent and scientific verification of radioactive waste.”
2025-12-09