Gyeongju City Council in South Korea Conducts In-Depth Inspection of Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant and Radioactive Waste Treatment Facilities

Recently, the Gyeongju City Council of South Korea organized an in-depth on-site inspection, with the focus on the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant and the Korea Atomic Energy Environment Corporation. The inspection team aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the operational safety of the nuclear power plant and the operation of radioactive waste treatment facilities, and to listen to feedback from relevant personnel.

The purpose of this action was to conduct an in-depth investigation of core issues closely related to public safety, including the safety management status of the nuclear power plant and the operational model of radioactive waste treatment facilities. The council members hoped that through this inspection, they could gain a more intuitive understanding of the actual situation and provide reference for formulating more comprehensive policies.

At the beginning of the inspection, the council members went to the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant and received a detailed briefing on the operation of the nuclear power plant. Subsequently, they focused on visiting the dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel, "Maxter," and carefully examined the operational details and management status of the storage facility to ensure its safety and reliability.

In order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the operation of the nuclear power plant, the inspection team also went to Wolsong Unit 3 Nuclear Power Plant to conduct an in-depth investigation into the daily operation of the nuclear power plant and the management of the wet storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. On-site personnel provided detailed explanations regarding operating procedures, safety measures, and other aspects.

Subsequently, the inspection team moved to the Korea Atomic Energy Environment Corporation to continue gaining an in-depth understanding of the current management status of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. The council members carefully listened to reports from relevant responsible persons and conducted in-depth questioning and discussions on related issues, striving to have a clear understanding of every aspect of waste treatment.

In order to gain a more intuitive understanding of the treatment process, the council members also visited the observation deck of the Phase 2 surface disposal facility and inspected the setup and operation of the facility, gaining a more concrete impression of the entire radioactive waste treatment process.

During the inspection, the council members unanimously emphasized that ensuring the safe and stable operation and strict management of nuclear power plants and radioactive waste-related facilities is the primary task. They believed that this concerns public safety and well-being and must be given high priority.

In this connection, the council members also proposed to the relevant departments that continuous communication with local residents should be maintained and relevant information should be disclosed to enhance public trust and understanding. At the same time, they also called for the establishment of a more comprehensive safety system to create a secure living environment for citizens.

Through this on-site inspection, the Gyeongju City Council hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the actual situation regarding nuclear power safety and waste treatment, and to contribute its efforts to safeguarding the health and safety of citizens.

The Gyeongju City Council (commonly referred to as the Gyeongju Council) is the grassroots local council and legislative body of Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, responsible for deliberating and deciding on ordinances, budgets, and local administrative affairs of Gyeongju City.