A Study on a Standardized Safety Regulation and Quality Assurance Framework for the Safe Acquisition and Operation of Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Purpose: This study proposes a standardized safety regulation and quality assurance framework for the safe acquisition and operation of nuclear-powered submarines in Korea. The study focuses on how nuclear safety regulation should be synchronized with the defense acquisition life cycle, rather than treated as a late-stage licensing activity.Methods: The study reviews the current Korean nuclear licensing structure, the proposed legal framework for nuclear-powered submarines, domestic licensing delay cases, and international practices from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. It then derives regulatory risk factors and proposes a domain-based documentation and stage-gate model.Results: Nuclear-powered submarine projects require more than reactor review. They require a standardized framework covering reactor design, radiological environmental review, nuclear quality assurance, classified defense information control, contractor-navy safety handover, radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, and decommissioning readiness. The study suggests that a regulatory baseline package should be prepared before SFR/SRR and progressively defined and reviewed through PDR, CDR, TRR, commissioning, sea trials, and operational acceptance.Conclusion: Korea should establish a standard regulatory framework that integrates defense acquisition control and nuclear safety review. Such a framework can reduce licensing uncertainty, prevent late design rework, protect military secrets, and ensure safety over the full naval nuclear propulsion life cycle.