Construction of South Korea’s low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) repository is due to begin in late 2007, according to local media reports.
The won 1.14 trillion ($1.12 billion) project due to be built in Wolsung, Gyeongju province, is designed to hold 800,000 drums of LILW for the next 60 years and should open in 2009.
According to reported comments from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, initially 100,000 drums of waste will be housed at the site, adjacent to a planned two new nuclear plant site, with the facility being built up in stages.
Gyeongju won the right to host the nuclear repository in a referendum held in November 2005.
