Thank you for visiting the website of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society (KRS).

The KRS was established in 2003 with the goal of promoting academic development and technological exchange related to radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Over the past 20 years, we have experienced remarkable growth, with over 3,523 individuals and 69 corporations currently active as members. Experts from diverse fields in academia, research community, and industry, driven by passion and responsibility, are actively engaging in mutual exchange, sharing research outcomes, with a view to expanding knowledge and to applying it to practical industrial solutions. Our biannual academic conferences in spring and fall attract nearly 1,000 members who present around 430 research papers.

The safe management of radioactive waste left as byproduct from nuclear energy and radiation application, is an essential prerequisite for the sustainable use of nuclear power and radiation. We have made significant technological advancements and achievements, including the initiation of the operation of the Low- and Intermediate-Level Waste Repository in 2015. However, challenges persist, such as the unresolved issue of spent nuclear fuel even after 45 years since the commercial operation of Kori Unit 1 and the safe and economic decommissioning of permanently shutdown nuclear power plants like Kori Unit 1 and Wolsong Unit 1. Additionally, the challenge lies in developing technologies for optimal radioactive waste management and design features to facilitate decommissioning of small modular reactors (SMRs), in parallel with reactor technology, to secure competitiveness in the global market as a "sustainable energy technology".

"Sustainable radioactive waste management", agreed upon at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, is a clear mission entrusted to our generation, with the prerequisites being "Inter-generational Equity" and "Intra-generational Equity". The KRS will take the lead in ensuring the safety of future generations through scientific and technological innovation, addressing the issue of "Inter-generational Equity" and building robust trust through communication with the public and various stakeholders to resolve the issue of "Intra-generational Equity". Furthermore, to shift away from the conventional framework of the 'individual approach' emphasizing the safety of handling, storing, transporting, and disposing of each stream of radioactive waste, the KRS must concentrate its efforts on a paradigm shift to an 'integrated approach' based on the smooth flow of all types of radioactive waste throughout the whole lifecycle, from the cradle (generation) to the grave (final disposal).

We encourage you to visit our website regularly, observe our various activities, and provide constructive criticism and advice along with encouragement. We hope you consider joining as a member of the KRS to collectively contemplate the future and share the joy of contributing to the sustainable development of our society.

Thank you.

January 2024
President of Korean Radioactive Waste Society, Jae Hak Cheong