Abstract
The concept for an underground spent nuclear fuel repository in Korea is described in this paper. The major factors that influenced the base concept include waste package size and weight, waste package thermal output, waste package receipt and emplacement rate(s), vertical borehole emplacement, and geologic setting of the conceptual repository in terms of rock type, water conditions, topography, and rock quality. Although not sited, the conceptual repository was studied to be located in granitic rock at a depth of nominally 500 m between two large fault zones that extend from depth to the surface. The preliminary geologic repository system in this study focuses on underground repository system including engineered barrier system. The engineered barrier system composed of waste form, container, and buffer and backfill material, provides the primary containment of waste and is protected by the natural barrier system. This conceptual will be continued to the year 2006 through safety and cost analyses to refine the system design.
