US-DPRK Next Steps Workshop January 27, 2003Washington, D.C. Yongbyon Spent Fuel Experience Presented by Mark Mohr

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM Background Under the Agreed Framework, signed between U.S. and DPRK in 1994, U.S. agreed to arrange for DPRK to receive two light- water reactor (LWR) power plants, and 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil annually until first LWR came online In return, DPRK agreed to freeze its graphite-moderated reactors and related facilities and to dismantle eventually these reactors and related facilities U.S. and DPRK also agreed to cooperate in finding a method to store safely the spent fuel from the 5 MW (e) experimental reactor during the construction of the LWR project, and to dispose of the fuel in a safe manner that does not involve reprocessing in DPRK

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM Basic Data On Reactor And Fuel Discharged from reactor May-June 1994 time frame 8,017 fuel rods declared Contains kg Plutonium Magnesium-zirconium cladding

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM DOE’s Responsibility Spent Fuel Canning Water Treatment Maintenance

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM Spent Fuel Canning Fuel sealed in cans and water removed to restrict corrosion; argon cover gas with 2% oxygen Canned fuel allows IAEA to monitor the fuel more easily Necessary first step in removing fuel from DPRK Cans minimize further escape of radioactive contaminants

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM

Storage Rack Seal Plate Corners of storage rack to access canisters

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM Status All accessible fuel rods and pieces now canned Leaking canisters being repaired Spent fuel being maintained until removal Ultimate disposition of spent fuel yet to be determined

DPRK SPENT FUEL DISPOSITION PROGRAM Costs About $34M to date Projected at approximately $2M per year for maintenance until removed from DPRK