![Lee Jin-ho, president of the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency. [Korea Radioactive Waste Agency]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/15/news-p.v1.20261015.48819af2d9c74d23811c2169e0501343_P1.jpg)
The Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) held an inauguration ceremony Wednesday for Lee Jin-ho, its sixth president, at Korad Hall at the agency's headquarters in Gyeongju.
In his inaugural address, Lee outlined several priorities: the seamless implementation of the site-selection roadmap for a high-level radioactive waste management facility, the establishment of a robust management framework, the strengthening of waste management capabilities in preparation for a future nuclear era, and the delivery of tangible results that the public can feel.
"We will build an institution that adds innovation on an unwavering foundation of safety, and earns public trust on a foundation of expertise and transparency," Lee said.
On the management of high-level radioactive waste, he said the issue "is an important national task for the agency that requires a perspective spanning tens of thousands of years," adding that he would carry out the site-selection roadmap without delay "through scientific investigation, transparent disclosure of information and genuine communication with local communities."
As his first official act after taking office, Lee visited KORAD's low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Gyeongju for an on-site inspection.
Lee, a native of Gunsan in North Jeolla Province, holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Sungkyunkwan University. He previously served as a professor at Korea Military Academy, a non-standing director on the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission's small modular reactor regulation research task force, a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Committee on Safety Standards, and deputy president of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety.
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
