From July 15 – 19, 2019, Mr. Rich Holm, representing the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (US NRC) International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) program, participated in a joint International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) workshop on Safety Evaluation of Research Reactors. The workshop was held at the International Nuclear Safety School (INSS) of KINS in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. The audience included regulatory bodies and technical support organizations from the Arab Network of Nuclear Regulators (ANNuR), the Asian Nuclear Safety Network (ANSN), and the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), some of which are responsible for research reactor oversight in their respective countries. The workshop provided participants with practical knowledge and information on regulatory review and assessment of safety submittals pertaining to the licensing process of research reactors; a forum for participants to exchange their national practices and experience; and an opportunity to identify good practices and areas for improvement with regard to the safety of research reactors.
Mr. Holm presented three lectures on the US NRC regulatory practices and safety analysis reviews. Representatives of the IAEA and KINS also delivered lectures on various aspects of safety analysis and review, and how they are conducted. IAEA member countries representing Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Tunisia and Vietnam provided an overview of the countries’ research reactor programs, an update of their current status, and current/planned activities to support regulatory development for research reactors. The workshop culminated with a tour of the HANARO reactor facility, which provided a unique opportunity for many participants, especially those that have not visited an operational research reactor.