Gov`t Mulls Wooljin-Youngdeok, Gochang-Younggwang for Nuclear Waste Sites

The government has named four candidates for nuclear waste sites, Wooljin, Youngdeok in Gyeongbuk-do, Gochang and Younggwang in Chollabuk-do. It will build two disposal sites, one in Gyeongsang and the other in Cholla region after a comprehensive evaluation.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy and the Hydraulic Power Station announced on Feb. 4 that it picked the four areas after conducting an in-depth survey nationwide through some 240 eup and myoen-level villages located near the sea.

The two government agencies plans to narrow down their choice to two areas after conducting comprehensive research on soil and consulting with local residents to start building waste sites in March next year.

The 300,000 pyong-scale sites will be equipped with low and mid-grade waste facilities by 2008 and a storage facility for nuclear fuel by 2016 for usage for the next 50 years.

MOCIE, however, added that it might include other areas wishing to host the site if they turn out qualified after a soil test. The selected areas will be provided with a wide range of support from the government.

˝We are running out of time since the existing makeshift nuclear waste storage facilities will reach their limit by 2008,˝ said seven heads of related ministries including the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation and MOCIE said in a joint statement due out on February 5. ˝Full government-level support will be extended to local residents under the law including 300 billion won in local funds.˝

Meanwhile, environmental activists and some of residents protested against the announcement and vehement opposition will likely continue through the selection process.

Wastes exposed to nuclear substances coming out from nuclear power stations, hospitals and research institutes are divided into low and mid-grade ones such as overalls and gloves and high-grade ones.

Wastes are currently being stored into makeshift facilities built in power stations. As they are expected to reach the saturation point in 2008, the need for permanent storage facilities has been discussed for some time.

Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com