The Formation and Evolution of the Periodic Safety Review System in East Asia

This chapter examines the evolution of the Periodic Safety Review (PSR) system—an integrated and systematic re-evaluation of nuclear power plant safety—focusing on both the development of PSR guidelines within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and their institutional implementation in Japan, China, and South Korea. This chapter compares how PSR systems have been introduced and institutionalized in these three East Asian countries and identifies key institutional characteristics and challenges for improving nuclear safety. The analysis results show that the development of PSR systems in East Asia has been strongly influenced by the evolution of IAEA safety standards and by lessons learned from major nuclear accidents. In Japan, the Fukushima accident triggered a transition from a voluntary, self-regulatory PSR framework to a legally binding safety improvement evaluation system. In China, PSR has been incorporated into national regulatory frameworks in parallel with rapid nuclear expansion, although limited transparency in information disclosure remains a challenge for building domestic and international trust. In South Korea, PSR is firmly embedded in law and closely linked to license renewal and continued operation assessments of aging reactors. This chapter also demonstrates that PSR guidance has co-evolved with the IAEA’s General Safety Requirements (GSR), reflecting a dynamic international safety framework that continuously incorporates operational experience and accident lessons. Based on this comparative analysis, this chapter argues that strengthening technical cooperation and moving toward greater regional harmonization of safety standards are essential for enhancing nuclear safety governance in East Asia.