Safety enhancement efforts after Fukushima accident in Korea

On March 11 of 2011, a massive earthquake and powerful tsunami hit the north-eastern region of Japan and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was massively damaged. Korea which is located closest to Japan was not directly affected, however, its people were shocked. They were concerned over the possibility of being exposed to radiation as well as for the safety of domestic nuclear power plants. The Korean government recognized the need to take prompt and immediate actions to alleviate these concerns. The Korean government immediately implemented special safety inspection and derived 50 long and short-term improvement action items to ensure safety of NPPs under extreme hazard conditions. At present, stage 3 of implementation strategy is being implemented, with completion of 22 items including ASTS (Automatic Seismic Trip System) as well as revision of 14 items including suitability review of action measures taken for investigation and research of maximum earthquake at NPP sites. The IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission was conducted for two weeks during July 10 and 22, 2011, which happened to be the very first review mission to be carried out since the Fukushima disaster. A module on the policy issues related to the actions taken after the Fukushima accident was newly added to the mission. The mission highlighted positive aspects of Korea's safety regulatory program, praising its technical competence and effectiveness. Additionally it concluded that Korea has been responding to the accident in a timely and an effective manner. The follow-up review mission is scheduled in December of this year, expanding the scope to include radiation safety as well. The most noteworthy change in Korea since the Fukushima accident is independence of the regulatory body. Not only to enhance effectiveness and independence of the regulatory body but to secure nuclear safety, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) was established on October 26, 2011. The regulatory function was hence completely separated from the promotion and utilization of nuclear power. Since its establishment, NSSC has continuously been putting in effort to strengthen regulatory practice and system up to international standards. In particular, it has been proceeding with statute revision in relation to obligating severe accident evaluation, enhancing periodic safety evaluation etc and reviewing safety evaluation measure during extreme disaster situation. Additionally, it is revising the bill to expand regulatory scope to include the operator, design, manufacture, supply, qualification test companies throughout the life cycle of NPPs. Furthermore, 'Coordination Committee on Nuclear Safety Policy' (tentative) is to be established for the purpose of supporting and promoting consistency in nuclear safety related policies such as nuclear safety research, accident-failure information, safety of food and medical equipment, radiation in agriculture-livestock-marine product and ground water which are under jurisdiction of different Ministries. One of the most important lessons-learned from the Fukushima accident is communication with the public. NSSC has been emphasizing active and transparent disclosure of information through websites, blogs, SNS etc in order to relieve anxiety and restore public confidence. Other efforts include securing constant communication channel by organizing regional conference to disclose information, discuss issues, and receive feedbacks. Apart from the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident, the Korean Government is expanding its efforts to ensure nuclear safety in other areas such as CFSI issues. It is pushing forward to broaden regulatory scope to include the operator, design, manufacture, supply as well as investigation agencies. As for the management of performance verification agencies, it is to be under direct jurisdiction of the regulatory body. (author)