Legal Issues on the Management of High-Level Radioactive Waste

In Korea, the level of environmental issues and safety awareness of the people has increased since the 2000s, and after the Fukushima nuclear accident, public opinion against the government's pro-nuclear power plant policy is increasing. Nevertheless, until the Park Geun Hye government in 2016, Korea has shown a path dependence to continue and expand its nuclear power plant policy. However, when the Moon Jae In government was launched in May 2017, it shifted the direction of the nuclear power plant policy away from the previous governments' pro-nuclear policy, such as the closure of Gori No. 1, the abolition of new nuclear power plans, and the expansion of the proportion of renewable energy generation. Most countries that have used nuclear power internationally are also actively studying the discovery and use of new and renewable energy in consideration of not only the risks of nuclear accidents but also the possible risks from the use of nuclear power plants. Except for certain countries, most countries have not been able to find alternative energy that can ensure the national energy transition. In the case of Korea, after the inauguration of the Moon Jae In government, the permanent suspension of the Gori No. 1 nuclear power plant was declared, officially stopping the operation of the Gori No. 1 nuclear power plant and entering the pre-stage of dismantling the nuclear power plant in earnest. Since then, the use of nuclear power has been continuously increasing among the power supply in Korea. Among the problems arising from the increase in the use of nuclear energy, a serious problem is the treatment of high-level radioactive waste caused by the use of nuclear power plants worldwide. In Korea, the amount of high-level radioactive waste temporarily stored on the site of a nuclear power plant will soon reach saturation, which may lead to a situation in which the operation of the current nuclear power plant must be stopped. The difficult situation from the site selection stage required for such high-level radioactive waste treatment facilities is a common national challenge in most countries. In other words, high-level radioactive waste treatment facilities are something that everyone wants to avoid from their homes, but they live in a national situation that must be installed in someone's homes. This issue of high-level radioactive waste treatment facilities is a critical task for the country that must be resolved amid opposition from the people. Therefore, it is necessary to consider and make efforts to solve the national problem of high-level radioactive waste treatment, which is a problem with the continued use of nuclear energy.