This study introduces the licensing process carried out by the regulatory body for construction and operation of the 2nd phase low level radioactive waste disposal facility in Gyeongju. Also, this study presents the experience and lessons learned from this regulatory review for preparing the license review for the next 3rd phase landfill disposal facility. Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) submitted a license application to Nuclear Safety and Security commission (NSSC) on December 24, 2015 to obtain permit for construction and operation of the national engineered shallow land disposal facility at Wolsong, Gyeongju. NSSC and Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) started the regulatory review process with an initial docket review of the KORAD application including Safety Analysis Report, Radiological Environmental Report and Safety Administration Rules. After reflecting the results of the docket review, the safety review of revised 10 application documents began on November 29, 2016. Total 856 queries and requests for additional information were elicited by thorough technical review until November 16, 2021. As the Gyeongju and Pohang earthquakes occurred in September 2016 and November 2017, respectively, the seismic design of the disposal facility for vault and underground gallery was enhanced from 0.2 g to 0.3 g and the site safety evaluation including groundwater characteristics was re-investigated due to earthquake-induced fault. Also, post-closure safety assessments related to normal/abnormal/human intrusion scenarios were re-performed for reflecting the results of site and design characteristics. Finally, NSSC decided to grant a license of the 2nd phase low level radioactive waste disposal facility under the Nuclear Safety Laws in July 2022. This study introduces important issues and major improvements in terms of safety during the review process and presents the lessons learned from the experience of regulatory review process.

• Yohan Kim(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Eunjin Seo(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS)) Corresponding author
• Jinyong Park(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Chan Woo Jeong(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Sangmyeon Ahn(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Jeheon Bang(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Jungjin Kim(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Sang-Ho Lee(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Jinmo Ahn(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))
• Sangsu Park(Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS))