Methodology Development for Identification and Prevention of Illegal Transfer of Major Nuclear Fuel Cycle Items

Chansuh Lee, and Hansol Ko

Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), Daejeon, 34101, Republic of Korea

Abstract: The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is a clear indication of a dilemma of economy and security. With national interest and protection as the top priority, the global community is divided into blocks, changing the existing international order. These changes are also affecting export control. Today, export control should be implemented even more cautiously since the internal and external environments are drastically changing, including such events as the trade war against the US, nuclear tests by North Korea, and the war in Ukraine. In the past, the Eastern European countries that were liberated by the collapse of the USSR decommissioned the nuclear fuel cycle and its related facilities. However, illicit trafficking of nuclear material and key equipment to nearby countries of the USSR increased due to a lack of management during the decommissioning, leading to nuclear proliferation. In alignment with these environmental changes, a methodology with the latest techniques incorporated was developed in order to identify and/or prevent the illegal export of key items of the nuclear fuel cycle to neighboring countries. Through this method, effective export control can be expected, which can complement the lack of workforce and resources.