South Korea and Sweden Discuss Cooperation on High-Level Waste Disposal and SMR Regulation

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea announced on August 10 that it held a bilateral meeting with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) in Seoul, during which the two sides exchanged views on topics including high-level radioactive waste management, nuclear safety regulation, and the development of small modular reactors (SMRs).

Sweden has accumulated strong technical expertise in the field of radioactive waste management and has developed a relatively mature technical system for high-level radioactive waste disposal. Currently, Sweden has 6 operating nuclear power units and 7 permanently shut down units, 6 of which are in the decommissioning phase. Following Finland, Sweden is constructing the world's second deep geological disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste.

The NSSC and the SSM have maintained ongoing cooperation since signing a memorandum of understanding in 2014. Previously, the focus of their cooperation was primarily on the management of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste.

At this meeting, the two sides discussed high-level radioactive waste management policies, relevant regulatory standards, and regulatory issues related to the development of small modular reactors. Sweden is currently advancing SMR projects while also conducting discussions on policy arrangements for expanding nuclear energy utilization.

The Chairman of the NSSC stated that Sweden selected the site for its high-level radioactive waste disposal facility in 2009 and obtained a construction permit in 2022, with the relevant construction currently underway. South Korea aims to enhance its regulatory capabilities for high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities through deepened cooperation with Sweden.