In June 2019, the Government of the Republic of Korea announced the third Energy Master Plan, which provides for energy policy direction until 2040. The plan contains five major tasks: consumption, production, system, industry and market base, and each project sets a goal to achieve by 2040. Outlined in the plan:

1. Consumption: Improve energy consumption efficiency by 39% and reduce demand by 18.6% by 2040, through strengthening demand management and improving energy price systems;

2. Production: Increase the share of renewable energy and reduce nuclear and coal power plants to transition to a clean and safe energy mix;

3. System: Expand the proportion of distributed power sources near demand areas, such as renewable energy and fuel cells, and increase the role of local governments;

4. Industry: Support future energy industries such as renewable energy, hydrogen and energy efficiency;

5. Market Base: Improve power, gas and heat market system and establish a big data energy platform.

Other major energy polices announced in 2019 include a roadmap for a hydrogen economy and a national energy efficiency strategy. The roadmap of a hydrogen economy seeks to expand the supply and demand of hydrogen by 2040. The plan aims to produce a cumulative 6.2 million hydrogen cars and to produce 5.26 million tons of clean hydrogen annually by 2040. In addition, the national energy efficiency strategy aims to reduce the final energy consumption by 29.6 million toe by 2030, that is, 14.4% from the business as usual (BAU).

In 2020, a detailed national plan for each sector such as power supply and demand, renewable energy, energy efficiency and natural gas supply will be established and announced.

Table 1 shows the energy reserves of the Republic of Korea as of the end of 2018.

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

	Fossil fuels			Nuclear	Renewable**
	Solid	Liquid	Gas	Uranium	Hydro	Other renewables
Total amount in specific units*	1326	0.050	0.774	—	0.002105	0.061660

Source: Korea Resources Corporation (www.kores.or.kr), Korea National Oil Corporation (www.knoc.co.kr) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (www.kepco.co.kr).

* Solid, liquid: million tonnes; gas: billion m³; hydro, renewables: TW.

** Renewable Capacity Plan, ‘The 8th Basic plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand (2017-2031)’

TABLE 2. ENERGY STATISTICS

	2000	2005	2010	2015	2018	Compound annual growth rate (%) 2000 to 2018
Final Energy Consumption (EJ)
Total	6.28	7.17	8.16	9.00	9.74	2.47%
Heat and Other	0.05	0.07	0.08	0.08	0.11	4.73%
Electricity	0.86	1.20	1.56	1.74	1.89	4.47%
Natural Gas	0.53	0.75	0.88	0.91	1.05	3.89%
Coal/Lignite/Peat	0.82	0.93	1.18	1.46	1.36	2.82%
Oil	3.93	4.06	4.21	4.47	4.89	1.22%
Bioenergy and Waste	0.09	0.16	0.22	0.32	0.38	8.41%

Source(s): Korea Energy Statistics Information System (www.kesis.net)

The ministry responsible for developing the electricity policy is the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). MOTIE works in consultation and close cooperation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, six generation companies and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). With energy being regarded as a key component of the rapid economic development of the Republic of Korea, the Government has maintained a strong presence in the sector.

MOTIE, either through direct or indirect Government ownership of energy companies, utilities and several energy research institutes, has maintained a high degree of control in all aspects of energy policy development and implementation.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) has the overall responsibility for ensuring nuclear safety through regulatory activities. The NSSC is also a policy maker for the nuclear sector.

MOTIE continues to establish the biennial Basic Plan of Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand (also referred to as BPE), which reflects environmental and safety factors in addition to stable power supply and economic efficiency.

The Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand includes the forecast for power demand over the next 15 years until 2031 and plans for power generation facilities. 

The latest power generation blueprint projects the peak electricity demand in 2030 at 100.5 GW, down 11% from the forecast of 113.2 GW made in the seventh edition, which used the same methodology, as the economy is expected to grow at a slower pace than it was two years ago. 

The blueprint calls for further reduction in the expected peak demand by 12.3% or 14.2 GW, through utilizing technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and introducing new regulations that promote energy efficiency. 

The target reserve margin for 2030 is set at 22% — meaning there will be about an excess of 22% of peak demand — assuming the installed capacity for the year to be about 122.6 GW. 

Power generation facilities with a combined capacity of 4.3 GW need to be newly added to existing and already planned facilities with a capacity of 118.3 GW. The new generation facilities will consist of liquefied natural gas (LNG) power stations and pumped storage hydroelectric facilities. 

Between 2017 and 2030, the installed capacity of renewables would increase to 58.5 GW from the current 11.3 GW, with growth mainly coming from solar and wind power. The total capacity of LNG power plants would expand to 47.5 GW from 37.4 GW and those of coal fired power plants grow to 39.9 GW from 36.8 GW. 

Meanwhile, the installed capacity of nuclear power generation would contract to 20.4 GW from 22.5 GW, as five new reactors would enter operation and 11 aging reactors would be taken off-line during the period. 

Under the new energy roadmap, natural gas and renewable energy sources will have a greater share in the generation mix in terms of installed capacity. Renewable energy would account 33.7% of the installed capacity in 2030 — up from 9.7% in 2019. The combined capacity of nuclear reactors and coal fired power plants would represent around a third of the mix — down from 50.9%. 

The Government also aims to generate 20% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The share of natural gas is expected to be 18.8%, while those of coal and nuclear power would be 36.1% and 23.9%, respectively. 

Six power generation companies, independent power producers, and community energy systems currently produce electric power, and KEPCO transports the electric power it purchased from the Korea Power Exchange through the transmission and distribution network and then sells it to general customers.

Source: General structure of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO, with additional information available at: www.kepco.co.kr).

FIG. 1. Structure of the electric power sector.

TABLE 3. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

	2000	2005	2010	2015	2018	Annual av. growth rate 2000–2018 (%)
Electricity production (TW·h)
Nuclear	108.96	146.78	148.59	164.76	133.51	1.34
Hydro	5.61	5.19	6.74	5.79	7.27	2.69
Geothermal	—	—	—	—	—	—
Wind	—	—	0.81	1.34	2.53	16.08
Solar	—	—	1.07	3.48	7.70	38.49
Natural Gas	28.49	58.25	96.19	100.75	152.87	10.88
Coal/Lignite/Peat	99.43	134.89	198.29	207.33	241.81	5.15
Oil	19.18	16.11	11.71	9.54	7.12	-0.29
Bioenergy and Waste	—	—	2.41	10.29	13.25	27.13
Other	4.73	3.42	157.70	207.00	138.10	18.09
Total*	266.40	364.64	474.92	545.52	570.65	4.35

Source: Korea Electric Power Corporation (www.kepco.co.kr).

* Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

	2000	2005	2010	2015	2018
Nuclear/total electricity (%)	40.90	40.25	31.14	31.20	23.40

The pursuit of peaceful nuclear activities in the Republic of Korea were initiated in 1957 when it became an IAEA Member State. The following year, the Republic of Korea passed its Atomic Energy Law. In 1959, the Office of Atomic Energy was established toward the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

The Republic of Korea has carried out a very ambitious nuclear power programme since the 1970s, in parallel with industrialization policies. It has domestically maintained a strong commitment to nuclear power development as an integral part of its national energy policy, aiming to reduce external vulnerability and insure against global fossil fuel shortages.

The localization process of nuclear power technology in the Republic of Korea has been made from design, manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance, fuel fabrication and building up of a safety regulatory infrastructure in a relatively short period, over several decades. As part of this trend, a high degree of technological self-reliance in various fields of the nuclear industry has been achieved through the construction of Yonggwang-3 and 4. At present, NPP technology and related fuel cycle technologies have reached technological maturity and realization in the markets.

The Republic of Korea currently has 24 operational reactors with a net capacity of 23.25 GW(e), which provided 25.95% of the country’s electricity at the end of 2019. Four reactors consisting of an additional 5.6 GW(e) are under construction.

The current Government focuses on safety of operating NPPs, decommissioning of nuclear facilities and safe management of spent fuel, under the Energy Transition Policy, which was officially announced in 2017.

Nuclear related activities are planned and carried out by various organizations such as the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), MOTIE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the NSSC.

MSIT has overall responsibility for nuclear research and development (R&D) and nuclear international cooperation affairs.

MOTIE is responsible for the construction and operation of NPPs, the nuclear fuel supply and the management of radioactive waste.

MOFA is responsible for the nuclear diplomatic activities, including the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreement and treaties.

The NSSC is responsible for nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation as a regulatory body.

Source: MSIT.

FIG. 2. Main functions of nuclear related organizations in the Republic of Korea.

Currently, a total gross capacity of 23.25 GW(e) is installed across 24 operating NPPs, comprising 21 pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and 3 CANDU pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). There are four units under construction. Table 5 shows the status of NPPs as of December 2019.

TABLE 5. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Reactor Unit	Type	Net Capacity [MW(e)]	Status	Operator	Reactor Supplier	Construction Date	First Criticality Date	First Grid Date	Commercial Date	Shutdown Date	UCF for 2019
HANBIT-1	PWR	995	Operational	KHNP	WH	1981-06-04	1986-01-31	1986-03-05	1986-08-25		16.6
HANBIT-2	PWR	988	Operational	KHNP	WH	1981-12-01	1986-10-15	1986-11-11	1987-06-10		87.1
HANBIT-3	PWR	986	Operational	KHNP	DHICKAEC	1989-12-23	1994-10-13	1994-10-30	1995-03-31		0.0
HANBIT-4	PWR	970	Operational	KHNP	DHICKAEC	1990-05-26	1995-07-07	1995-07-18	1996-01-01		0.0
HANBIT-5	PWR	992	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	1997-06-29	2001-11-24	2001-12-19	2002-05-21		99.3
HANBIT-6	PWR	993	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	1997-11-20	2002-09-01	2002-09-16	2002-12-24		73.0
HANUL-1	PWR	966	Operational	KHNP	FRAM	1983-01-26	1988-02-25	1988-04-07	1988-09-10		83.3
HANUL-2	PWR	967	Operational	KHNP	FRAM	1983-07-05	1989-02-25	1989-04-14	1989-09-30		78.4
HANUL-3	PWR	997	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	1993-07-21	1997-12-21	1998-01-06	1998-08-11		75.8
HANUL-4	PWR	999	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	1993-11-01	1998-12-14	1998-12-28	1999-12-31		95.5
HANUL-5	PWR	998	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	1999-10-01	2003-11-28	2003-12-18	2004-07-29		74.5
HANUL-6	PWR	997	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2000-09-29	2004-12-16	2005-01-07	2005-04-22		77.2
KORI-2	PWR	640	Operational	KHNP	WH	1977-12-23	1983-04-09	1983-04-22	1983-07-25		100.0
KORI-3	PWR	1011	Operational	KHNP	WH	1979-10-01	1985-01-01	1985-01-22	1985-09-30		67.9
KORI-4	PWR	1012	Operational	KHNP	WH	1980-04-01	1985-10-26	1985-12-31	1986-04-29		51.0
SHIN-KORI-1	PWR	996	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2006-06-16	2010-07-15	2010-08-04	2011-02-28		74.7
SHIN-KORI-2	PWR	996	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2007-06-05	2011-12-27	2012-01-28	2012-07-20		79.2
SHIN-KORI-3	PWR	1416	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2008-10-16	2015-12-29	2016-01-15	2016-12-20		88.4
SHIN-KORI-4	PWR	1418	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2009-08-19	2019-04-08	2019-04-22	2019-08-29		100.0
SHIN-WOLSONG-1	PWR	997	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2007-11-20	2012-01-06	2012-01-27	2012-07-31		85.1
SHIN-WOLSONG-2	PWR	993	Operational	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2008-09-23	2015-02-08	2015-02-26	2015-07-24		74.9
WOLSONG-2	PHWR	606	Operational	KHNP	AECL/DHI	1992-09-25	1997-01-29	1997-04-01	1997-07-01		90.3
WOLSONG-3	PHWR	630	Operational	KHNP	AECL/DHI	1994-03-17	1998-02-19	1998-03-25	1998-07-01		59.1
WOLSONG-4	PHWR	609	Operational	KHNP	AECL/DHI	1994-07-22	1999-04-10	1999-05-21	1999-10-01		83.3
SHIN-HANUL-1	PWR	1340	Under Construction	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2012-07-10
SHIN-HANUL-2	PWR	1340	Under Construction	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2013-06-19
SHIN-KORI-5	PWR	1340	Under Construction	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2017-04-01
SHIN-KORI-6	PWR	1340	Under Construction	KHNP	DHICKOPC	2018-09-20
KORI-1	PWR	576	Permanent Shutdown	KHNP	WH	1972-08-01	1977-06-19	1977-06-26	1978-04-29	2017-06-18
WOLSONG-1	PHWR	661	Permanent Shutdown	KHNP	AECL	1977-10-30	1982-11-21	1982-12-31	1983-04-22	2019-12-24	0.0

Data source: IAEA - Power Reactor Information System (PRIS).

Note: Table is completely generated from PRIS data to reflect the latest available information and may be more up to date than the text of the report.

Source: Latest available data; PRIS database (www.iaea.org/pris).

^a Date of first major placing of concrete, usually for the base mat of the reactor building completion

^b Date of first connection to the grid.

^c Unit capability factor (UCF) for the latest available year (only applicable to reactors in operation).

2.2.2.1. Plant upgrading and plant life management

2.2.2.2. Continued operation (licence renewal)

According to the Eighth Basic Plan of Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand, finalized by MOTIE in December 2017, five APR1400 units will be constructed by 2024. However, construction of new NPPs and plant lifetime expansion will not be pursued.

TABLE 7. UNDER CONSTRUCTION NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Station/project name	Type	Capacity (MW)	Construction start year	Expected commercial year
Shin Hanul-1	PWR	1400	2012	2020
Shin Hanul-2	PWR	1400	2013	2021
Shin Kori-5	PWR	1400	2017	2023
Shin Kori-6	PWR	1400	2018	2024

Note : The construction of Shin-Kori Unit 4 was completed in 2019

The APR1400 is a Generation III light water reactor (LWR) with a capacity of 1400 MW(e), evolved from the OPR1000. Unlike the OPR1000 with a two train active safety system, the APR1400 has a four train active safety system, with the aim of achieving higher safety levels than the OPR1000. The standard design of the APR1400 was domestically certified in May 2002, and Shin Kori-3 and 4 are the first plants to implement the APR1400 design. Shin Kori-3 and 4 have been in commercial operation since December 2016 and July 2019 respectively. Shin Kori-3 has operated and achieved one cycle without issue. Shin Hanul-1 is expected to start commercial operation in October 2020.

The APR1400 design was certified by European Utility Requirements (EUR) in November 2017. The EU-APR standard design is the APR1400 designed to European safety standards. Also, in August 2019, the APR1400 standard design received certification from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC)—the first time for non-U.S. NPP acquisition. As a result, KHNP increased the brand of Korean NPPs and diversified the NPP export market field by acquiring both NRC design certification and EUR certification.

In 1985, the Government made the landmark decision to implement a national self-reliance policy and allocated the roles and responsibilities among domestic nuclear organizations to streamline and nationalize the nuclear power industry (see Fig. 3).

FIG. 3. Structure of the nuclear power industry in the Republic of Korea.

Note: Overall project management — Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company (KHNP); architectural engineering and nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) design — Korea Electric Power Corporation Engineering & Construction Company (KEPCO E&C); nuclear fuel design and fabrication — KEPCO Nuclear Fuel (KEPCO NF); Research and Development - Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI); NSSS, turbine and generator manufacturing — Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction; Safety regulations — Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS)

The technological self-reliance strategy has been applied since construction of HANBIT-3 and 4. HANBIT Units 3 and 4 were constructed by domestic technical staff, based on domestic nuclear power plant technology, and became the model for the first nuclear power plants built to a Republic of Korea standard. Based on the enhancement of domestic technology in the heavy chemical industry and the technology acquired from participating as subcontractors to foreign companies, the roles were reversed where domestic companies served as main contractors with foreign companies as subcontractors that supported key technology, thus achieving a higher degree of self-reliance in nuclear power plant construction.

KHNP is responsible for overall project management, including construction and operation of nuclear power plants in the Republic of Korea. KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company (KEPCO E&C) was established in 1975 to foster self-reliance in power technologies, particularly in nuclear power engineering for PWRs, maintaining prime responsibility for architectural engineering. KEPCO Nuclear Fuel (KEPCO NF) was established in November 1982 through a joint investment of KEPCO and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to localize the nuclear fuel fabrication for PWRs and PHWRs. The NSSC and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) conduct safety regulatory activities for all nuclear or radiation facilities under construction or in operation at all stages, from siting to decommissioning. Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has taken part in plant manufacturing through its capacity to supply heavy industrial construction equipment and machinery.

KHNP works to secure a reasonable sales price of electricity and reduce the cost of production in order to maximize retained earnings which can be used for future capital expenditure. To acquire additional funding in the short term, KHNP issues corporate bonds with diversified maturities to attract national and international investors.

In the long term, KHNP is considering diverse arrangements, such as equity financing, in addition to current debt financing to maintain financial security. KHNP is also managing financial risks in order to reduce and eliminate related risk to acceptable levels in compliance with policies and procedures.

In order to increase the transmission capability between (Shin) Hanul and the metropolitan area, series and parallel reactive power compensation facilities (FACTS: TCSC, STATCOM) are newly installed and operating at the substations near the East Coast by KEPCO. There is also 500kV HVDC project (East-west connection Project) under development by KEPCO between (Shin) Hanul and the metropolitan, according to the “Eighth Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand” by MOTIE.

TABLE 8. LIST OF SELECTED NPPs SITES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Station	Source of cooling water	Operation status	Transport infrastructure	Approval status
Kori-1	Sea water	Permanent shutdown	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Kori-2	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Kori-3	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Kori-4	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Kori-1	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Kori-2	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Kori-3	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Kori-4	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Kori-5	Sea water	Under construction	Wharf Main access road	Construction permit
Shin Kori-6	Sea water	Under construction	Wharf Main access road	Construction permit
Hanbit-1 (Yonggwang-1)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanbit-2 (Yonggwang-2)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanbit-3 (Yonggwang-3)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanbit-4 (Yonggwang-4)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanbit-5 (Yonggwang-5)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanbit-6 (Yonggwang-6)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Wolsong-1	Sea water	Permanent shutdown	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Wolsong-2	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Wolsong-3	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Wolsong-4	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Wolsong-1	Sea water	Operational	Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Wolsong-2	Sea water	Operational	Main access road	Operating licence
Hanul-1 (Ulchin-1)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanul-2 (Ulchin-2)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanul-3 (Ulchin-3)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanul-4 (Ulchin-4)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanul-5 (Ulchin-5)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Hanul-6 (Ulchin-6)	Sea water	Operational	Wharf Main access road	Operating licence
Shin Hanul-1 (Shin Ulchin-1)	Sea water	Under construction	Main access road	Construction permit
Shin Hanul-2 (Shin Ulchin-2)	Sea water	Under construction	Main access road	Construction permit

In order to enhance local acceptance, KHNP puts the utmost effort in various activities in local support businesses, conflict management and social contribution works. Every year, a survey of social contribution works is carried out among local residents in the surround areas of NPPs. Criteria of such surveys gauging the following; contribution to the local economy, satisfaction regarding local cooperation, satisfaction with creating an ecological environment, resident support in nuclear use, safety credibility and information release confidence.

MSIT is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies on nuclear R&D, human resource development (HRD) and international cooperation, including nuclear energy promotion and radiation technology development.

Nuclear R&D related agencies under MSIT are KAERI and the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS). KAERI carries out a wide range of nuclear research and development on such areas as nuclear reactors, nuclear fuel cycle, radioactive waste management, nuclear safety, radiation and radioisotope applications, and basic and applied research. KIRAMS focuses research on medical utilization of radiation and radioisotope based on radiation treatment, nuclear medicine, radiological science, medical engineering and bioengineering technology.

In 1997, the Korean government established the Comprehensive Nuclear Energy Promotion Plan (CNEPP), which includes the national policy on nuclear energy utilization, promotion and its sectoral tasks, according to the Nuclear Energy Promotion Act. As a part of the CNEPP, a national nuclear R&D plan is formulated every five years since 1997 to account for major changes in R&D and other technological progress. The national nuclear R&D plan from 2017 to 2021 was was established in 2016 with the vision to advance nuclear technology development and reassure the public, in addition to enhance nuclear safety and complete core technology. The plan focuses on five research fields: (i) nuclear safety; (ii) radioactive waste management; (iii) advanced reactors and fuel; (iv) application of radiation and radioisotopes; and (v) fundamental technologies. A technology innovation project for operating NPPs is also in development for the nuclear industry.

Under the Energy Transition Policy established in 2017, the relative proportion of nuclear power is to be gradually scaled down and the use of renewable energy expanded in the long term. Future nuclear technology development strategy was also established to support the R&D of the Energy Transition Policy and expand the socioeconomic application of nuclear technology capability by MSIT at the end of 2017. Five specific R&D strategies were suggested for successful achievement: (i) secure plant safety and decommissioning technology; (ii) expand the use of nuclear and radiation technology; (iii) encourage overseas export; (iv) secure new future engine sources such as fusion energy; and (v) commercialize nuclear technology.

As a part of follow-up measures of this future nuclear technology development strategy, MSIT set up a strategy for the strengthening of future nuclear safety capabilities at the end of 2018. It promotes three development strategies: maximization of the safe operation of NPPs for the next 60 years; expanded utilization of safety based technology capability; and securing and spreading innovative capability of future nuclear safety technology.

At the end of 2019, MSIT announced the Future Radiation Industry Creation Strategy in line with the Future Nuclear Technology Development Strategy. It is designed to create new industries and markets in the radiation field. Its main tasks include to provide intensive support to promising radiation technologies, technology development for safety enhancement, establishment of a self-sufficiency system for isotopes and industrialization of exports.

The Republic of Korea has signed nuclear cooperative agreements with 29 countries, holding joint standing committees with the United States of America, France, the Russian Federation, China, India and Saudi Arabia on a regular basis, annually or once every two years. The two main purposes of bilateral cooperation are the advancement of nuclear technology by securing specific technologies and facilitating a foundation for overseas promotion by expanding technical exchanges in a long term basis. The main cooperative areas are nuclear R&D, safety, safeguards and emergency preparedness. Table 9 shows the current status of joint standing committees with six countries.

TABLE 9. JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES

Country	Joint standing committee	Time and place
United States of America	37th Meeting of ROK–US Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation	5–7 Dec. 2018 Seoul
France	23th Korea–France Joint Coordinating Committee on Nuclear Energy	3–4 Jul. 2018 Paris
Russian Federation	19th Joint Coordinating Committee on Atomic Energy Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea	3–4 Jun. 2019 Seoul
China	14th Meeting of ROK–PRC Joint Committee on Nuclear Energy	9-10 Dec. 2019 Seoul
India	3rd Meeting of the Republic of India–the Republic of Korea Nuclear Cooperation Committee	20–21 Dec. 2016 Mumbai
Saudi Arabia	3rd Korea–Saudi Arabia Joint Nuclear Committee	13–14 May 2019 Riyadh

On a multilateral level, the Republic of Korea actively participates in international cooperation with the IAEA, the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/NEA) and other international cooperative frameworks including Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC).

The Republic of Korea’s status changed from a recipient to a donor State for IAEA’s technical cooperation programme in 2010. As a longstanding contributor to a regional cooperative agreement (RCA), the Republic of Korea plays a pivotal role in the field of nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. It supports IAEA activities in nuclear applications, such as financial contributions to the ReNuAL+ and operation of IAEA collaborating centres (the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute [part of KAERI] and KINS). In relation to IAEA activities in nuclear energy, the Republic of Korea has actively participated in the field of research reactors and the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO). The HANARO research reactor was designated as an International Center on Research Reactor (ICERR) in 2019, and the 17th INPRO Dialogue Forum was successfully held in Republic of Korea in July 2019 to address opportunities and challenges of SMRs. The Republic of Korea also serves as a reliable member in numerous IAEA advisory groups and technical working groups. Experts were recently designated to the Standing Advisory Group on Technical Assistance and Cooperation (SAGTAC) and Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Application (SAGNA) as members in April 2019.

The Republic of Korea has been an active member of OECD/NEA activities since 1993. The range of participation varies from contributing to joint research activities, to joining the international discussion within the framework of the OECD/NEA. As of 2020, the Republic of Korea participates in 23 projects out of 25 joint research projects, one of which is the ATLAS project led by Korea, aiming to provide experimental data for resolving key LWR thermal hydraulic safety issues following the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident. Maintaining its role in the OECD/NEA’s Steering Committee and key positions of Standing Technical Committees, the Republic of Korea actively engages in joint projects to deal with emerging cross-cutting issues such as decommissioning nuclear facilities, radioactive waste management and knowledge management.

The Republic of Korea has also participated in the GIF since the first meeting in 2000. Since 2006, the Republic of Korea has carried out joint research of next generation nuclear energy systems such as sodium cooled fast reactors and very high temperature reactors. In 2019, the representative of the Republic of Korea was appointed as a vice chair, to promote research and development collaboration among the GIF members and observer organizations. More than 30 remarkable experts and engineers are participating in various projects cooperating in international joint research program.

Since 2010, the Republic of Korea has also contributed to IFNEC activities, exploring multilateral approaches for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It has shared its experiences of developing nuclear technology system and its applications with diverse members at every subgroup meeting within the framework, including the Nuclear Supplier and Customer Countries Engagement Group.

2.10.1.1. On-line

2.10.1.2. Off-line

Activities regarding radiological emergency preparedness are based on the Act on Physical Protection and Radiological Emergency (APPRE), which stipulates systematic management of a radiological emergency, as well as the Framework Act on Civil Defense and the Basic Act of Disasters and Safety Control, which outlines the national response against various kinds of disasters. The APPRE, legislated in May 2003 and entering in force in February 2004, specifies overall radiological emergency management affairs including prevention of, preparedness for, and response to, radiological emergencies, radiological emergency medical treatment and international cooperation.

Pursuant to APPRE, the NSSC formulates the National Radiological Emergency Plan every five years, linked with the Basic Plan for National Safety Management based on the Basic Act of Disasters and Safety Control. Each year, the NSSC prepares the National Radiological Preparedness Plan, which is an annual implementation plan for five year intervals based on the National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan. Local governments with relevant jurisdiction over all or a part of an emergency planning zone (EPZ) are granted the ability to draft their own radiological preparedness plan every year in accordance with the Basic Plan for National Safety Management and the National Radiological Preparedness Plan. The nuclear licensee also establishes a radiological emergency plan and obtains approval of its plan from the NSSC for operation.

APPRE defines nuclear facilities as the following:

• Nuclear power reactor;

• Nuclear reactor for research;

• Nuclear fuel cycling facility;

• Storage/processing/disposal facility for radioactive waste;

• Utilization facility for nuclear material;

• Other facilities related to the use of nuclear energy, to include those which obtain a construction permit and operating license of the facility or facilities as a nuclear licensee.

Hence, nuclear licensees, such as operators of NPPs and facilities related to spent fuel and radioactive waste, are required to perform emergency response activities in case of radiation emergency or disasters in accordance with the radiological emergency plan approved by the rules and requirements mentioned above.

The NSSC carries out an inspection on the licensee’s duties, facilities and equipment to respond to potential radiological disasters, radiological emergency education and radiological emergency exercise per the NSSC Notice Regulation on Inspection for Radiological Emergency of Nuclear Licensee.

In order to carry out effective resident protective measures based on their distance from nuclear installations, the APPRE was revised in May 2014 to divide the radiation EPZ into a precautionary action zone (PAZ) and an urgent action planning zone (UPZ), based on IAEA safety standards. With the power reactor and related facilities as the centre, the PAZ has a radius of 3–5 km and the UPZ a radius of 20–30 km. Subordinate statutes were also revised to set the EPZ, taking regional characteristics such as roads and topography into consideration.

2.11.2.1. Radiological emergency response regime

2.11.2.2. Protective measures

The operator of nuclear installations periodically conduct repeated training and exercises for emergency personnel to qualify them by providing thorough knowledge of emergency duties. The International Nuclear Safety School of KINS, the Nuclear Training Center of KAERI and the Human Resource Development Institute of KHNP operate training courses on emergency preparedness for personnel involved in an emergency response.

According to the APPRE, radiological emergency training is comprehensively managed at a national level. In that sense, KINS has conducted the regulatory inspection of radiological emergency training programmes in relevant educational institutes. To support the implementation of comprehensive and systematic radiological emergency trainings, the NSSC Notice on Education for Radiological Emergency Preparedness specifies the designation and notification of radiological emergency staff, establishment of training programmes, method of training and other necessary details.

After the expansion of the EPZ in May 2014 in accordance with the revised APPRE, the NSSC pushed forward its follow-up measures by revising the Enforcement Decree in November 2014, in which the joint exercise of radiological preparedness organized by local governments take place by NPP sites once every two years instead of once in four years and intensive exercises focusing on resident protection were introduced. Moreover, emergency preparedness exercises were further strengthened by initiating a massive combined exercise, with the participation of the central government annually, instead of once every five years. Emergency exercises are held, in which on-site and off-site emergency preparedness organizations must participate, as follows:

1. Unified exercises, held annually by the NSSC on a national level, in which the emergency organizations of nuclear installations, off-site emergency organizations, and central and local governments are to participate.

2. Integrated emergency exercises, held every two years, in which all on-site and off-site emergency organizations are to participate and are led by local governments at the nuclear installation site.

3. Intensive exercises, held annually, in which local governments are to participate for specific fields of resident protective measures such as traffic control, dissemination of situation to the residents, sheltering and evacuation, distribution of thyroid protection medicine, operation of aid stations, environmental radiation monitoring and radiological emergency medical treatment, among other activities.

4. On-site emergency exercises, held annually, in which all emergency units in nuclear power stations of two units are to participate.

5. Drills, held quarterly, in which each emergency unit in a nuclear installation are to participate.

6. Newly constructed nuclear installations, an initial exercise is held to demonstrate the ability of emergency response before the rated thermal output reaches 5%.