Safeguards Activities on National Locations Outside Facilities in Korea

Small quantities of nuclear material (SQNM) are stored at locations called locations outside facilities (LOF). LOFs are applied to nuclear material (NM) in amounts of one effective kilograms or less according to the Model Additional Protocol. National LOFs are composed of virtual groups in order to control these small amounts of nuclear material. They are covered by one facility attachment with a single MBA with different KMPs in Korea. Managing LOFs under the control of the national safeguards started after the ROK-IAEA joint review meeting held in 1998 substantially. Most of these locations are involved in non- destructive testing where Depleted Uranium (DU) are used as shielding containers. Uranium or Thorium is used in radiation shielding or as catalysts for use in the chemical industry. The Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC) collects data from each location in order to report accountancy to the IAEA. Each year KINAC visits about 30% of the total locations so as to verify information reported by those LOFs. KINAC also carries out a PIT for the LOFs based on this information every year. However, holders of these SQNM do not require a license for use or possession of Uranium or Thorium exclusively for non-nuclear activities according to the Korean Atomic Safety Law. Some of the companies that are under LOFs keep a small business with low profits or going bankrupt. KINAC had collected unattended DU shieldings in 2009 and 2014. Accordingly, the national LOFs need to be managed meticulously in order to keep track of used nuclear materials with regard to both nuclear safety and safeguards.