Currently the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission establishes and operates Nuclear Safety Councils according to its directive in areas with nuclear reactors to establish a communication system with the local government and residents regarding nuclear safety.

There is no legal basis for this, however, and Nuclear Safety Council members may be appointed at the discretion of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commissioner, such that there has been criticism that the opinions of local residents are not being properly reflected in the operation, etc. of nuclear energy utilization facilities.

Also, there has been criticism that there is a need to have the head of the local government in charge of the area where nuclear energy utilization facilities are located to be clearly informed of various accidents, etc., occurring in such facilities and promptly notify local residents of such events to ensure their safety.

Therefore, this proposal aims to newly insert a legal basis for establishing a council where the opinions of competent local government, local residents and relevant experts regarding nuclear safety may be regularly reflected, and prescribe that when the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission receives a report regarding the occurrence of an accident, etc. from a nuclear energy-related business operator, the Commission shall notify the head of the local government in charge of the area where the relevant nuclear energy utilization facility is located of such fact, thereby improving the local government and residents’ understanding of nuclear safety (Article 92 (1) latter part and Article 103-3, newly inserted).

Article 103-3 shall be newly inserted as follows.

Article 103-3 (Establishment and Operation of Nuclear Safety Councils)

①The Commission shall establish a Nuclear Safety Council (hereinafter referred to as “Council”) for consultations regarding nuclear safety management related matters between the local government in charge of an area where a nuclear power reactor and relevant facilities, a nuclear reactor for research or educational purposes and relevant facilities, or a radioactive waste management facility, etc., is located (hereinafter referred to as “Located Area”), residents of a Located Area and relevant experts.

②The Council shall hold consultations regarding the matters prescribed in each of the following sub-paragraphs.

1.Matters regarding the environment around nuclear energy utilization facilities and resident safety

2.Matters regarding surveys of environmental radiation and assessment of the impact of radiation on the environment

3.Matters regarding nuclear safety management raised by a local government or resident of a Located Area

4.Other matters regarding nuclear safety management for which the Council deems necessary.

③The Council shall consist of not more than 20 members including 1 Commissioner, and the members shall be appointed by the Commissioner from among the following sub-paragraphs. In such case, members belonging to sub-paragraphs 4 and 5 shall each be no less than 1/5 of the total number of members.

1.Public official from the Commission

2.Expert from an institution specialized in nuclear safety and security

3.Competent head of the local government and member of the local council in charge of the Located Area

4.Resident from a Located Area recommended by a non-profit, non-governmental organization according to Article 2 of the Assistance for Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organizations Act

5.Relevant expert on nuclear safety recommended by the local government in charge of a Located Area

6.Other person deemed necessary by the Council regarding nuclear safety

④The Council may request the Commission or a nuclear energy-related business operator to submit relevant materials on nuclear safety management when deemed necessary for consultation.

⑤The Council may request the Commission to conduct inspections, field surveys, etc., of nuclear energy-related business operators as prescribed by Presidential Decree to verify the materials submitted according to Paragraph 4 and may participate in such inspections, field surveys, etc. In such case, the Commission and nuclear energy-related business operator shall comply with such request unless there are extraordinary circumstances to not do so.

⑥Other matters necessary for the establishment, operation, etc., of the Council shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.