Lee Jin-ho Appointed as Head of Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation

Lee Jin-ho has been appointed as the new chairman of the Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation. The new chairman aims to implement the roadmap for selecting sites for high-level radioactive waste management facilities without delay and to strengthen waste management capabilities in preparation for the future of nuclear energy.

The Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation announced on October 14 that the inauguration ceremony for Lee Jin-ho, its sixth chairman, was held at the headquarters in Gyeongju.

Born in 1965 in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, Lee holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Sungkyunkwan University. He has served as a professor at the Korea Military Academy, a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Standards Committee, and the deputy director of the Korea Atomic Energy Safety Agency. He has also been a non-executive director of the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Regulatory Research Promotion Team at the Nuclear Safety Commission and the vice president of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping.

In his inaugural address, Lee stated, "I will develop the organization into one that adds innovation on a solid foundation of safety and enhances public trust through professionalism and transparency."

He identified high-level radioactive waste management as a key national task, emphasizing, "Managing high-level radioactive waste is a significant national challenge that requires foresight over tens of thousands of years. We will implement the site selection roadmap without delay through scientific investigation, transparent information disclosure, and genuine communication with local communities."

Key tasks include the implementation of the site selection roadmap for high-level radioactive waste management facilities and the establishment of a management system, as well as enhancing waste management capabilities in preparation for the future of nuclear energy.

Lee also plans to implement a smart waste management system through AI and digital transformation. This initiative aims to integrate digital technology into all aspects of waste management to improve safety and efficiency while responding to the changing nuclear industry environment.

Securing public trust and promoting coexistence with local communities are also major priorities. Lee plans to strengthen communication with the public based on scientific evidence, expand resident participation, and enhance the execution of innovations to create tangible results that the public can feel.

As his first official act after taking office, Lee visited the Gyeongju low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility to assess the on-site situation.

The Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation, established in 2009, is the only organization in South Korea dedicated to managing radioactive waste. It is responsible for the construction and operation of the Gyeongju low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility and is working to establish a national framework for managing high-level radioactive waste.