• Maritime Security
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.125-149
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• 2021

Even 10 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has yet to solve the problems emerging from generating contaminated water every day. Japan has unilaterally decided to release nuclear wastewater in the sea despite Korea's concerns about safety as their radioactive water storage tanks reach the limits. Despite Korea's response, Japan is still preparing to discharge nuclear wastewater without fulfilling its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. There are concerns about marine pollution caused by the radioactive materials from nuclear wastewater and invading Korea's maritime sovereignty. In particular, it is impossible to reverse the effects of environmental pollution, so plans to discharge radioactive water must be prevented unless immediate safety is guaranteed. This study proposes Korea's response strategy to resolve the conflict between the two countries due to plans to release contaminated water. Korea should respond to Japan's release of nuclear wastewater in the sea in various ways through cooperation with Japan, provisional measures, and cooperation with neighboring countries.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2016

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate Korean people's awareness about impact of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan and radioactive contamination caused by it. Materials and Methods: The respondents of the survey were 600 adults who resided in the Seoul metropolitan area. Results and discussion: The survey results show that the majority of respondents were concerned about impact of radiation leakage that might have an effect on our environment. They were worried about radioactive contamination of foodstuffs, particularly fishery products and preferred to acquire information through TV(49.8%) or the Internet(31.3%). Meanwhile, respondents mentioned that the information on the Fukushima nuclear accident and radioactive contamination had not been sufficient and they didn't know well about the follow-up measures of the government on the accident. Most respondents answered that information on radioactive contamination levels and safety of foods and environment was most needed. Conclusion: The results of this study could be useful to enhance awareness on radioactivity and improve risk communication on nuclear power plant accidents.

• 전기의세계
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 1995

인류과학 문명의 발달은 전기문명의 발전없이는 생각할 수 없음은 자명한 사실이다. 그러나 화석 에너지의 고갈로 인한 전기 에너지의 생산의 타개책으로 인간의 지혜는 원자력발전이란 귀한 에너지원을 확보하게 되었음은 실로 다행한 일이며 인간역사가 계속 이어질 수 있는 바탕을 마련하였다고 볼 수 있다. 또한, 이 원자력 에너지는 화석 에너지의 결점인 환경오염으로부터 완전해방이 되었을 뿐만 아니라 경제성 측면에서 비교우위에 있음이 확실하다. 그러나 원전은 안전성을 담보로 하기 때문에 설비의 운영관리에 많은 제약이 뒤따르고 있다. 그러므로 원전은 그 관리능력이 인정될 수 있는 국가와 국민만이 화석 에너지가 갖지 못하는 혜택을 누릴 수 있는 것이다. 그래서 원전의 안전 규제 체제는 사업자에게만 그 책임을 지울 수 없으므로 국가적인 차원에서 안전관리의 목표와 정책을 수립하고 이것을 효과적으로 시행하기 위한 법적, 제도적 장치를 마련하고 있다.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.174-181
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• 2023

Five local governments along the Korea-Japan Sea (Jeju, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, Busan, Ulsan) operate a joint countermeasure committee regarding the marine discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant by Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Plant. This study compared and analyzed citizen surveys, response strategies, and detailed action plans conducted by the Jeju Research Institute, Busan Research Institute, and Ulsan Research Institute as part of a study on countermeasures for the marine discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. The purpose was to present basic data for the preparation of effective measures. As a result of the perception survey, all citizens of local governments showed a strong negative perception of marine discharge regardless of scientific research results, and it is expected that future fisheries and tourism industries will suffer great damage. In response strategies for each local government, building a control tower was found to be the most urgent task common to all local governments. It is judged that this is because it is necessary to break away from the organization-centered system and to respond to the function-centered system for effective response. In terms of response methods, while Jeju and Busan established response plans for each sector, Ulsan City focused on practical responses with step-by-step response measures according to the release time. In terms of content, the establishment of a marine product radiation inspection system and publicity to relieve public anxiety were important. As the marine discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is scheduled to continue until 2030, strengthening the network for sharing research results and achievements among local government research institutes was deemed necessary.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.242-242
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• 2004

원자력발전소의 운전과정에서 계획적 혹은 비계획적으로 방출되는 미량의 입자상 방사성 물질들은 대부분 원전 부지내 토양에 침적되게 된다. 이러한 과정 속에서 오염토양이 발생하게 되면 수거되어 단순 격리관리하고 있는 실정이지만 앞으로 원전의 해체과정 등으로 인한 오염토양이 상당량 발생할 것으로 예상되기 때문에 적절한 제염을 통하여 폐기물량을 최소화시킬 필요가 있다. 이를 위해 오염토양 제염공정으로 물을 이용한 토양세척법을 선정하여 제염장치를 제작하였으며 실증시험을 수행하였다.(중략)

• Nuclear industry
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.6-15
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• 2016

우리나라가 급속한 성장을 이루는 과정에서 원자력은 이를 뒷받침하며 함께 성장해 왔다. 그러나 그 과정에서 안전보다 성과를 강조하다보니 안전을 경시하는 비정상적 환경이 조성되었다. 그 결과 숨겨져 있던 과거의 원전 비리가 수면 위에 드러났고, 같은 시기에 후쿠시마 사고로 인한 오염수 유출과 전력난까지 발생하면서 국민의 불안과 불신을 가중시켰다. 국민들은 정부가 불안감을 해소해 주고 원칙을 지키는 안전규제, 신뢰할 수 있는 안전규제를 마련할 것을 요구하고 있다. 원자력 안전규제의 독립성을 확보하기 위해 지난 2011년 설립된 원자력안전위원회는 출범 이후 새로운 안전규제 제도 시스템을 마련하는 데 총력을 기울여 왔다. 원전 비리 같은 비정상 관행을 근절하기 위해 공급자 검사 제도, 성능검증기관 관리 제도 등 새로운 규제 시스템이 마련되었고, 방사선 작업 종사자 보호 강화와 생활 주변 방사선 감시 효율성 제고를 위한 다양한 제도적 장치들도 구비되었다. 이외에도 원자력안전규제기금 설치, 원전 부지별로 설치된 원자력안전협의회 실효성 제고 등 소통과 협업을 위한 시스템을 정착시켰다. 그러나 단순히 제도와 시스템이 만들어졌다고 해서 원자력 안전이 저절로 확보되는 것은 아니다. 차고 다닐 옥의 종류가 바뀌면 걸음걸이도 바꾸어야 한다는 개옥개행(改玉改行)의 고사성어에서처럼 제도가 바뀌면 그에 따른 일하는 방식 문화가 달라져야만 변경된 제도 시스템이 완전히 정착될 수 있을 것이다. 이를 위해서는 규제기관의 노력도 중요하지만 무엇보다 필요한 것은 원전 및 방사선 관련 사업자, 이해 관계자 나아가 일반 국민들이 이러한 달라진 제도 시스템을 이해하고 이에 적극 협조해 나가는 것이다. 본 기획 기사는 그러한 취지에서 그간 원자력안전위원회가 안전규제를 공고히 하기 위해 추진해 왔던 주요 규제 정책, 제도들을 소개하는 데 주안점을 두었으며, 이를 통해 원전 및 방사선 관련 사업자와 일반 국민들의 이해를 바탕으로 새로운 제도 시스템이 조기에 성공적으로 정착될 수 있기를 희망한다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

Whole body counters (WBCs) are used to monitor radiation workers for internal contamination of radionuclides at domestic nuclear power plants (NPPs). A WBC is a scintillation detector using sodium iodide (NaI) and provides the identification of inhaled radionuclide and the measurement of its internal radioactivity in a short time. However, it is often possible to estimate external contamination as internal contamination due to radionuclides attached to the skin of radiation workers and this leads to an excessively conservative estimation of radioactive contamination. In this study, several experiments using a WBC and the Korean humanoid phantom were performed to suggest the more systematic method of discrimination between external and internal contamination. Furthermore, a WBC geometry experiment was conducted to suggest the optimal WBC geometry in consideration of deposited areas inside the body for dominant radionuclides at NPPs. The procedure of measurement and estimation of internal radioactivity for radiation workers at NPPs was improved on the basis of experimental results. Thus, it is expected to prevent from estimating internal exposure dose conservatively owing to the application of accurate whole body counting program to NPPs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.618-629
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• 2021

The Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) accident caused by the East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and the recent increase in the frequency of earthquakes in Korea have caused safety concerns regarding radionuclide exposure. In addition, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in Japan recently decided to release radionuclide-contaminated water from Fukushima's NPP into the Pacific Ocean, raising public concerns that the possibility of radionuclide contamination through both domestic- and foreign fishery products is increasing. Although many studies have been conducted on the input of artificial radionuclides into the Pacific after the Fukushima NPP accident, studies on the distribution and accumulation of artificial radionuclides in marine products from East Asia are lacking. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to explore recent research on the distribution of artificial radionuclides (e.g., ¹³⁷Cs, ^239+240Pu, ⁹⁰Sr, and etc.) in marine products from Korean seas after the Fukushima NPP accident. In addition, we also discuss future research directions as it is necessary to prepare for likely radiation accidents in the future around Korea associated with the new nuclear facilities planned by 2030 in China and owing to the discharge of radionuclide-contaminated water from the Fukushima NPP.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2004

Soil washing equipment was developed for decontamination of radioactively contaminated soil generated during normal operation or decommissioning and verification experiments were performed. Decontamination effciency above $80{\%}$ was achieved. In case of low radiation level and large particle size, decontamination efficiency was higher. According to the ratio of volume of water to soil quantity, decontamination efficiency was higher in case of high radiation level. Re-decontamination using decontaminated soil was effective in case of small particles. Using soil washing equipment, radioactivity of contaminated soil generated in nuclear power plant can be decreased and volume of soil for disposal can be decreased. And this equipment can be used in decommissioning.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2010

In a primary system at nuclear power plants (NPPs), various radionuclides including fission products and corrosion products are generated due to the complex water conditions. Particularly, $^3H,\;^{14}C,\;^{58}Co,\;^{60}Co,\;^{137}Cs,\;and^{131}I$ are important radionuclides in respect of dose assessment for radiation workers and management of radioactive effluents. In this paper, the dominant contributors of radiation exposure for radiation workers and the member of public adjacent to NPPs were reviewed and the process of dose assessment attributable to those contributors were introduced. Furthermore, the analysis for some examples of radiation exposure to radiation workers and the public during the NPP operation was carried out. This analysis included the notable precedents of internal radiation exposure and contamination of demineralized water occurred in Korean NPPs. Particularly, the potential issue about the dose assessment of tritium and carbon-14 was also reviewed in this paper.