Radioactive waste is classified into the low and intermediate level wastes and the high level wastes depending on their levels of radiation. Moreover, they are also classified into gas, liquid or solid depending on types of generation.
90% of generation rate :
Working clothes, boots, rags and replaced parts used in the controlled area of nuclear power plant are temporarily stored at a nuclear power plant site
10% of generation rate :
Reagent bottles, syringes and tubes occurring from industrial research institutions or hospitals using radioisotopes are temporarily stored at the RI waste storage of KORAD
The spent nuclear fuels for nuclear power generation are temporarily stored in nuclear power stations until the relevant national decision is made (recycling or permanent disposal).
At present, Korea has kept the “Wait & See” policy to determine the management policy of spent nuclear fuels since there is uncertainty in reprocessing/disposal, technology development level and international diplomatic environments.