Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has demonstrated its global competitiveness by showcasing advanced nuclear technologies at one of the world’s largest conferences on radioactive waste management.
KHNP participated in the WM 2026 Symposium, held in Phoenix, Arizona, from March 8 to 12, where it introduced Korea’s latest nuclear technologies. The event is the largest international conference in the field of radioactive waste management, attracting experts from approximately 45 countries this year.
At the symposium, KHNP joined “Team Korea” alongside organizations such as the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). Together, they presented advancements in key areas including low- and intermediate-level waste management, spent nuclear fuel treatment, and nuclear power plant decommissioning.
One of the highlights at the exhibition booth was KHNP’s domestically developed dry storage model for spent nuclear fuel from light water reactors. The technology features a world-first vertical modular design, providing enhanced safety against external impacts such as aircraft crashes and earthquakes. It also offers improved economic efficiency compared to existing commercial models, with a goal of achieving demonstration operation by 2030.
In addition, KHNP showcased vitrification technology, which immobilizes radioactive materials within a glass matrix to prevent external leakage, as well as a virtual reality (VR) simulation that recreates the nuclear decommissioning process in a three-dimensional environment.
Shin Ho-cheol, head of KHNP’s Central Research Institute, said, “This symposium provided an opportunity to demonstrate Korea’s technological capabilities in radioactive waste management on the global stage. We will continue to advance our core technologies to strengthen our foundation for entering international markets.”
