The Analysis of the National Policy for Management of Nuclear Spent Fuel : focused on the National Legislative Frameworks in the France and the United States

Abstract

Based on the second National Energy General Plan, the power generating capacity of nuclear facilities has been doubled from 23 gigawatts (GWe) to 43 GWe in order for nuclear power to retain a 29%share by the year 2035. As a result, the 7 GWeworth of nuclear power plants should be constructed. Themanagement of spent nuclear fuel is the most major challenge the continuous economic and safe operation of nuclear energy facilities. The 750 tons of radioactive waste are collected each year fromthe 23 nuclear power plants associated with the production of nuclear power in Korea. This is stored in the interimstorage facilities for of the nuclear power plants as a temporary expedient. However, such facilities will begin to reach capacity, starting with the Gori power plant in 2016. Therefore, national management policy for spent nuclear spent fuel needs to be established urgently. This study examines the relevant national policies of France and the United States, focusing on the issue of spent nuclear fuel management. The aimof this study is to contribute to the establishment of policy and legislation which should have its principles based on humanitarian and social priorities.