Docuprime to broadcast solutions and conflicts regarding high-level radioactive waste disposal sites on the 30th morning

MBC will broadcast the episode 'The 100,000-Year Donghaeng Has Begun' on the 30th (Sun) at 7:40 AM. This episode examines the current situation in South Korea, which is experiencing difficulties ahead of the selection of a high-level radioactive waste disposal site next year, and introduces the cases of Finland, which is about to operate the world's first high-level radioactive waste disposal site, and Sweden, which succeeded in attracting a site through the world's first democratic consensus.

Why high-level radioactive waste disposal sites are necessary

As power consumption increases in the digital age, major US big tech companies are moving to secure nuclear power plants. Microsoft has decided to revive a stopped nuclear plant, Meta has signed an exclusive contract for nuclear power, and Google has made a down payment for the construction of small modular reactors. This is based on the judgment that there is no energy source as stable as nuclear power to prevent situations such as large-scale blackouts in Spain and Portugal. On the other hand, in South Korea, the average saturation rate of spent nuclear fuel storage pools discharged from nuclear plants has risen to 83.6%, putting them at risk of a chain of shutdowns. While the urgent problem was addressed by constructing Macster, a temporary storage facility, conflicts with local residents are deepening due to concerns that the temporary facility could become permanent.

Finland embraces the world's first high-level radioactive waste disposal site

Eura, a small city in western Finland, which is considered one of the happiest countries in the world, is an area with high resident satisfaction due to low taxes and well-equipped welfare infrastructure. Unlike other municipalities experiencing population decline, the background behind Eura's ability to maintain a prosperous Il-sang lies in 'Onkalo', the world's first high-level radioactive waste disposal site. The program examines how Eura attracted the high-level radioactive waste disposal site, which the whole world struggles to host as a representative NIMBY facility, and how it became a source of pride and pride for the town.

High-level Radioactive Waste Special Act, domestic discussions regain momentum

Despite its 48-year history of nuclear power, South Korea, a nuclear power powerhouse, has not been able to solve the problem of finding a disposal site. Insufficient acceptance of resident opinions and public deliberation are cited as reasons for failure. Subsequently, a medium-and-low-level waste disposal site was established in Gyeongju by introducing legal safeguards and referendum methods, but the most urgent high-level radioactive waste disposal remains at a standstill. With the enactment of the High-level Radioactive Waste Special Act last year, a legal framework has been established, and some local governments are beginning to prepare in advance ahead of next year's site solicitation. The remaining task is for the state to provide trust to local governments and residents that it is capable of operating a high-level radioactive waste disposal site scientifically and technically.

The 'Promise with No Losers' shown by two Swedish cities

Sweden is noted not so much for being the second country in the world to decide on a high-level radioactive waste disposal site, but for the fact that the process was democratic. The two cities, Östhammar and Oskarshamn, competed to attract the site. The background behind both the city that succeeded in attracting the site and the city that failed being able to smile was Sweden's 'Promise with No Losers', which dictates that efforts to take risks and cooperate for a national project must be compensated equally. Thanks to this promise, the residents of Östhammar, which hosts the high-level radioactive waste disposal site, can speak of pride instead of anxiety.

Source: MBC Press Release

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