Without abolishing the civil nuclear phase-out policy, the revival of Korean nuclear power plants is impossible… High-level special law may miss the ‘golden time’.

The uncertainty of holding standing committees… 21st National Assembly wraps up with ‘abandonment of bills’
On the brink of saturation within nuclear power plant storage facilities… in the worst-case scenario, nuclear power plants may need to halt operations,

[Sejong=Newsis] This is an interior photo of the Gori 3 nuclear reactor wet storage facility.(Photo=Provided by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) *Prohibition of redistribution and DB usage,
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, “[Sejong=Newsis] By Son Cha-min, reporter = The passage of the ‘High-level Radioactive Waste Special Law (High-level Waste Law),’ which contains provisions for the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel generated by operating nuclear power plants, just before the closure of the 21st National Assembly is drawing attention as it could mark the end of the nuclear power plant cycle ecosystem. If the high-level waste law fails to pass and the construction of high-level waste storage facilities becomes difficult, temporary storage facilities could reach saturation, leading to the halt of nuclear power plant operations.”,
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, ‘According to the National Assembly on the 19th, the ruling and opposition parties have finalized their opinions on the high-level waste law. It was reported that the ruling Democratic Party had struck a deal with the main opposition party to pass the high-level waste law, conditional on discussing the Cooperative Associations Act in a plenary session, and an agreement has been reached on this as well.’,
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, ‘With all disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties over the high-level waste law resolved, it is expected to be processed if only the standing committees are convened. Considering the legislative process, it should be submitted to the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small Business, and Venture Business Committee by the 21st for it to be included in the plenary session expected to be held at the end of this month.’,
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, ‘The problem is the 21st National Assembly is now preparing for the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, and the 21st is in the final stages of wrapping up. Given the increasing likelihood that the standing committees will not be convened, the high-level waste law is on the brink of abandonment.’,
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, ‘A National Assembly official stated, “Although all the points of contention and disagreements have been resolved, due to various political reasons, we need to observe how the last plenary session to be held at the end of this month will turn out,” and added, “If it does not take place, it will be practically impossible.”‘,
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[Daejeon=Newsis] The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is conducting the first domestic land transportation experiment of used nuclear fuel.,
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, ‘If the high-level waste law is abandoned, the work to prepare the bill will need to start from scratch in the next National Assembly. The selection of a site for high-level waste disposal has been abandoned nine times over the past 40 years since 1983.’,
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, ‘Amid the renewed crisis facing the high-level waste law, storage facilities within nuclear power plants are on the brink of saturation. Used nuclear fuel generated over half a century from the operation of Korea’s first nuclear power plant, Gori Unit 1, is currently being temporarily stored.’,
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, ‘As of the end of the third quarter last year, the Hanbit nuclear power plant’s internal storage facility was 78.7% saturated, and it is expected to exceed the limit by 2030. Hanbit nuclear power plant is not the only one facing saturation. The saturation rate of the Hanul nuclear power plant is 77.8%, and it is expected to reach saturation by 2031.’,
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, ‘Initially, there were concerns that the Gori nuclear power plant, where high-level waste would be filled by 2028, has postponed the saturation timing to 2032 by installing dense storage racks.’,
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, ‘Considering that it takes 37 years to build a high-level waste disposal facility, it is necessary to proceed with the project as soon as possible. This is because if the internal storage facility of the nuclear power plant can no longer accept used nuclear fuel, an unprecedented situation where the nuclear power plant has to halt operations could occur.’,
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, ‘The key to the high-level waste law lies with the National Assembly, but the government has also launched an all-out effort in the final stages.’,
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, “Choi Sung-don, director of the Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation, urged the enactment of the high-level waste law at the ‘MOU signing ceremony and commitment meeting for the training of nuclear safety professionals’ held on the 16th.”,
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, ‘Director Choi stated, “Although the high-level waste law submitted to the National Assembly is not progressing, I hope that efforts from all fields will be made in the next week to enact it,”.’,
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[Sejong=Newsis] Exterior of the Wolsong nuclear power plant used nuclear fuel temporary storage facility (Macster). (Photo=Provided by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) *Prohibition of redistribution and DB usage,
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