A Case Study of Legal Criteria Implementation for High-level Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Evaluation: Insights into Geological Data Utilization in Germany

초록

This study analyzes Germany’s high-level radioactive waste site evaluation framework under the Site Selection Act (StandAG), focusing on how the legal criteria—exclusion, minimum requirements, and geoscientific weighting—are applied in practice. Using BGE’s interim report as a primary source, the research examines the specific geological and hydrogeological indicators and datasets employed during each stage of site evaluation. Germany’s approach, supported by the Geologiedatengesetz (GeolDG), legally mandates the provision of geoscientific data by public institutions and compensates for missing measurements using literature-based reference datasets. This integrated system of law, regulatory procedures, and data management offers meaningful implications for developing similar frameworks in Korea. Given Korea’s limited deep geological data, the study highlights the need to institutionalize reference datasets, mandate data provision, and introduce legal mechanisms to manage uncertainty. Ultimately, the German case illustrates a robust regulatory model where technical standards and legal instruments interact to ensure transparent, science-based site selection.

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