국민참여 원자력안전종합계획 수립 성과와 시사점

The nuclear safety is a highly specialized and controversial issue with big barriers and wide gaps in risk perceptions between the general public and regulatory agencies. The independence of regulatory agencies, which were established after the Fukushima disaster 10 years ago, have not been properly secured as the nuclear safety issue has become a matter of debate over expertise and politicization. South Korea is the world’s 6th largest nuclear power country with 26 nuclear power plants in operation, however, the independence of regulatory agencies and institutionalization of public participation in the regulatory process suggested by the IAEA remain at s formal level. The IAEA Safety Standards emphasize to guarantee the public interest and right to know about safety issues and recommend the transparent communication between regulatory agencies and the public. The U.S. NRC and the French ASN institutionalize the participation of the public and stakeholders throughout the regulatory process and adhere to the principles of publicly understandable documentation and transparent disclosure of information. In 2020, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission changed the method of establishing the Nuclear Safety Comprehensive Plan, which had been led by the government, to the method of creating it with the public to enhance transparency and communication in safety regulations and improve public trust. The establishment of the Nuclear Safety Comprehensive Plan with public participation, in which the general public presents the vision and policy direction and experts and stakeholders propose strategic tasks, is the first case in the history of nuclear safety regulation and is the case that participating citizens supported and trusted. This article examines the process and outcomes of the 3rd Nuclear Safety Comprehensive Plan through public participation and suggests implications for future safety regulation policy directions.