• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2022

The denuclearization of North Korea was unpredictable and resulted in radical changes. Despite the skepticism and disappointment surrounding denuclearization, it is important for certain verification technologies to establish what is technically possible or practically impossible, and how reliable these technical means are. This article presents the technical hurdles in nuclear verification by systematically categorizing them into issues of correctness and completeness. Moreover, it addresses the safety and security risks during the denuclearization process, including the radiological impact on humans, environmental effects, and the illegal transfer of material, information, and technologies.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.479-489
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• 2021

The Republic of Korea is expected to participate in the denuclearization verification activities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in case any neighboring countries declared denuclearization. In this study, samples for the verification of nuclear activities in undeclared areas were selected for the denuclearization of neighboring countries, and the appropriateness of the procedures was considered. If a country with nuclear weapons declares denuclearization, it must be accompanied by the IAEA's verification regarding nuclear materials and weapons in the declared and undeclared areas. The analysis of the process samples or on-site environmental samples and the verification of undeclared nuclear facilities and materials aid in uncovering any evidence of concealment of nuclear activity in undeclared areas. Therefore, a methodology was established for effective sampling and analysis in accordance with proper procedures. Preparations for sampling in undeclared areas were undertaken for various potential scenarios, such as, the establishment of zones according to radiation dose, methods of supplying electricity, wireless communication networks, targets of sampling according to characteristics of nuclides, manned sampling method, and unmanned sampling method. Through this, procedures were established for pre- and post-site settings in preparation for hazards and limiting factors at nuclear inspection sites.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.3788-3794
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• 2022

The possibility of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula has been continuously debated, and the initiative participation of the Republic of Korea has necessitated preemptive measures against neighboring countries. In this study, we present a proposal for formulating a site survey plan when the amount of site information provided is insufficient and the accuracy of the information is not guaranteed. Considering a case wherein "a soil sample analysis is used to determine the presence or absence of nuclear activity" in a radiochemical laboratory, which is a typical key facility for denuclearization, the optimal soil sample collection plan is designed based on international guidelines and public information. In the event of denuclearization, a scenario that is not based on the expertise of the sample collector is set, and the data quality objective (DQO) process is applied to ensure reality. Consequently, the primary sample collection points can be derived in consideration of accessibility, and the sample collection scale can be adjusted according to the cost. By applying the DQO process to ensure sample representativeness and reality, reliable and resource-efficient soil sample collection can be achieved in radiochemical laboratories and other denuclearization facilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2023

The issue of North Korea's denuclearization is an global issue that transcends the North and South. It is necessary to prepare for the denuclearization process in preparation for the situation in which North Korea reveals its intention to denuclearize. In the process of North Korea's denuclearization, it is required to guarantee the normal operation of the denuclearization verification equipment. If a performance test criteria that takes into account the North Korean environment is established, it is highly likely that it will be used in the future denuclearization process. For this purpose, basic materials related to performance test standards were established through analysis of test standards such as international standards. After that, we established a performance test criteria. This includes high temperature, low temperature, humidity, vibration and shock tests. Through follow-up studies, validity of test criteria will be established through actual device testing.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2023

After conducting a hydrogen bomb test and launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in 2017, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea, D.P.R.K.) declared the completion of its national nuclear capabilities. Currently, North Korea is refusing all nuclear inspections, but the possibility of nuclear inspections and the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula still exists. The Republic of Korea (South Korea, Rep. of Korea) has numerous reasons as a neighboring country to participate in North Korea's nuclear inspections and denuclearization, including technological capabilities, geographical proximity, and linguistic benefits. This study assumes nuclear inspections and verification within North Korea and aims to propose scenarios for the transportation and operation of personnel and equipment. The data and results compiled through this research are anticipated to serve as foundational information for future inspections and verifications on the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, it is assessed that they could contribute to the development of strategies in preparation for participation in denuclearization efforts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.833-839
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• 2021

The Possibility of Denuclearization Verification of Korean peninsula is mentioned. Considering the geographical and linguistic advantages, it is necessary to show willingness to participate in the denuclearization verification. In this study, investigation about nuclear facilities, characteristic of facilities, core resource, operation history, geographic/weather environment were performed. Transport route accessibility analysis and risk analysis for development of transport scenario were performed. Accessibility analysis was classified into airport, port, and vehicle transport. Distance by route, estimated time required, and transit roads were analyzed. In this process, it was possible to confirm the suitability of the vehicle transport scenario. Through follow-up studies, we intend to develop an optimal transport scenario.

• Korean Journal of Legislative Studies
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.55-83
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• 2018

This paper is written to identify the opportunities and risks of the declaration of the end of the Korean War with North Korea. The declaration has been seriously discussed in the course of negotiation for the denuclearization of North Korea especially in 2018. For this purpose, this paper revisits the concepts of related terms such as peace, peace regime, peace agreement and declaration of the end of war. It assesses the background and intention of North Korean request for the declaration. Then, it analyzes opportunities and risks regarding South Korea, if it agrees on the declaration. As a result, this paper found that declaration of the end of the Korean War could provide South Korea with opportunities such as a progress on the North Korean denuclearization, contribution to the peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and improvement on South Korea and North Korea relations. At the same time, the declaration could bring risks such as the dismantlement of the United Nations Command, demands of the withdrawal of US forces in Korea, a possible stop of North Korean denuclearization process and the weakening of South Korean peoples' awareness on North Korean threats. South Korea need to heed more on the risks than the opportunities, because the national security should be handled with caution.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2020

Since the third inter-Korean summit, the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang and the U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore and Hanoi, denuclearization negotiations are under way that will determine the fate of the Korean Peninsula. However, the negotiations are stalled and some skepticism is expected due to the conflicting U.S.-North Korea stance over the terms of denuclearization. The reason why it is difficult to realize the complete denuclearization of North Korea is that there are a variety of variables such as the traditional security dilemma in Northeast Asia, the hegemonic competition between the U.S. and China, and the formation of a new cold-war system. At a turning point when three inter-Korean summits and three U.S.-North Korea summits were held in the wake of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, North Korea's complete denuclearization has become a must-do historical task for Northeast Asia and world peace beyond the Korean Peninsula. In this sense, the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang is seen as a historic occasion for presenting a new milestone for the denuclearization of North Korea and the development of inter-Korean relations through the 9.19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration and the Military Agreement. Meanwhile, Constructivism, which has become the main paradigm of international political theory, presents the view that ideological variables such as ideology, history and culture define material factors, identity and interests of state actors, and that the structure of international relations can be changed through interaction. In this study, the historical meaning of the 9.19 Pyongyang Declaration, which is now past its first anniversary, was considered from a constructivist perspective. To this end, the development process of constructivism theory and analysis model and the development process of inter-Korean relations were briefly reviewed, and the military implications of the 9.19 Military Agreement were presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.374-374
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• 2001

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.49-50
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• 2019