Establishment of a Special Nuclear Materials Analysis Center in ROK
for National Safeguards Regulation

Special nuclear material (SNM) is defined as material subjected to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. The ROK is obligated to control domestic SNMs based on the state’s system of accounting for and control nuclear material (SSAC). In addition, the demand for the independent nuclear material analysis and verification capabilities of regulatory expert organizations is increasing, due to the demand for strong safeguards for nuclear facilities enhanced State-Level Approach (SLA). The determination of uranium (U) isotopic analysis is of particular significance in connection with environmental monitoring and verification of nuclear activities in facilities for specific safeguards-related applications. Declared information on SNMs from bulk handling facilities (BHF) shall be verified in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Act. Since 2018, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC) has been conducting a precision analysis to verify the quantity and composition of SNMs. The composition of SNMs can be verified using destructive analysis methods: 1) U isotope analysis using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) 2) U/O analysis using Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) 3) U concentration analysis using (Laser Ablation)-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry ((LA)-ICP-MS) Based on the regulatory expert organization’s independent ability to nuclear material analysis, regular verification of the analysis results of the collected samples from BHF and information on SNMs reported by the operator is performed. Currently, it is not being carried out in ROK due to the absence of regulatory and legal binding force for SNMs analysis and evaluation. Therefore, we intend to push ahead the regulation of technical standard guidelines related to nuclear material accounting and control analysis and evaluation through the establishment of a precision analysis system.