A view of Korea Radioactive Waste Agency headquarters in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

CEO Cha Sung-soo of Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD). (Photos: KORAD)

Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) is responsible for safety management of all kinds of radioactive waste generated in Korea. KORAD is prioritizing the safety of radwaste management, including construction and operation of low- and intermediate-level radwaste (LILW), to protect people and the environment.

Together with LILW management, KORAD is now supporting activities of the Review Commission on SNF (spent nuclear fuel) Management Policy.

The corporation is also preparing for the safety management of decommissioning waste to be generated from decommissioning nuclear power plants down the road.

KORAD to Build Smart Radwaste Treatment Facilities Based on Digital Innovation Tech

KORAD plans to implement “I-KORAD 4.0,” designed to build smart radwaste treatment facilities based on digital innovation technologies to cope with digital-based non-face-to-face and smart revolution in the post-COVID-19 era.

The I-KORAD 4.0 implementation strategies call for spurring digital conversion of work related to low-and intermediate-level radwaste, and realizing green treatment facilities with convergence technologies.

There are also 24 action tasks, including the building of a radwaste inspection system using AI technologies.

In accordance with the I-KORAD 4.0 implementation strategies, KORAD will improve crews’ work environment and enable swift responses to any emergency cased during the operation of radwaste treatment facilities.

 
It will do so by implementing tasks such as importing smart safety equipment for transporting radwaste; building IoT-based underground water inspection and fire monitoring systems; building a system designed to monitor facilities using drones; and building crew’ safety education system using augmented reality this year.

KORAD President Cha Sung-soo said, “KORAD will pump the prime of commercializing the private sector’s innovative technologies by spearheading Korean New Deal policies and continue to push digital innovation by responding to the new normal, caused by the pandemic, in advance.”

KORAD Delivers Free Food to Families with One Parent

KORAD conducted a volunteer event, called “Local Food Love-Sharing, Delivering Happiness to Our Neighbors” in cooperation with the Gyeongju City Social Welfare Consultation Committee on April 5.

The campaign was a social contribution event designed to give a shot in the arm in the sagging traditional market, buffeted by COVID-19 pandemic and give a helping hand to low-income families.

KORAD President Cha purchased 20 shopping bags of food ingredients, such as onions and green onions using KORAD staff’s fund and delivered them to the Gyeongju City Social Welfare Consultation Committee.

Both sides plan to expand the project of delivering free shopping bags of food ingredients to families with one parent, depending on the outcomes of the volunteer drive.

President Cha said labor and management will join forces in ramping up social contribution activities so that they can pursue shared growth with the local community on top of its function of ensuring the safe management of radwaste.