Examination of radioactive waste in the context of international law

This study examines states' efforts to access essential resources due to the increasing global population and the depletion of energy sources. In this context, nuclear power plants were introduced in the mid-20th century to reduce dependency and strengthen economies. However, some states pursued nuclear weapons as a means of political and military dominance. The study explores the nature of nuclear waste generated by these weapons, the processes it undergoes before deployment, and its adverse effects on living beings, all within the framework of international law. The use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II sparked global fear and accelerated efforts to control nuclear armament. Despite these efforts, countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, and North Korea have acquired nuclear technology. Can radiation pose an existential threat to humanity? In response to the U.S. nuclear monopoly, the Soviet Union, China, France, and the United Kingdom quickly developed their own nuclear arsenals. Meanwhile, international organizations such as the ICJ, UN, and IAEA have intensified efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. This study, divided into three sections, examines the principles of nuclear waste law, the transportation of nuclear materials, and legal responsibilities in waste management, aiming to develop a hypothesis on this issue.