방사성폐기물 해상 배출에 관한 국제 규정 검토 및 그 의의에 관한 연구

Abstract

Since the mid-20th century, the disposal of radioactive waste into the ocean has emerged as a seriousenvironmental concern, following the rapid development of nuclear power across major industrialized nations. In particular, between 1946 and 1993, large volumes of radioactive waste were dumped into the sea, primarily bynuclear-advanced countries, significantly impacting marine ecosystems. This study reviews the status of marineradioactive waste disposal and examines the international legal framework designed to regulate it, with a focus onthe London Convention and its 1996 Protocol. While the Convention has contributed significantly to reducing marinepollution through the prohibition of most forms of ocean dumping, it still presents various limitations. These includeinsufficient enforcement mechanisms, vague definitions of permissible exceptions, limited scope regarding deep-seadisposal, and lack of response to emerging contaminants. Furthermore, the absence of binding authority over memberstates and differing interpretations-such as in the case of the Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge-highlight theneed for stronger, clearer global regulations. This study emphasizes the necessity for revising international agreementsto address current scientific, technological, and political realities and suggests that future frameworks shouldinclude more robust monitoring, expanded coverage of pollutants, and enforceable dispute resolution mechanisms. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable marine environmental protection and thefuture direction of international regulatory systems for radioactive waste management.