Full Breakdown
Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 Receives Approval to Restart Operations
4/1/2026, 5:37:36 AM
Approval for Restart and Safety Inspections
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has received approval from South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) to restart unit 2 at the Kori Nuclear Power Plant, located in Gijang-gun, Busan. This reactor has been offline since April 2023, when its original 40-year operating permit expired. Kori unit 2, which began commercial operations in August 1983, is a 685 MWe pressurized water reactor. The NSSC confirmed that the reactor can now reach criticality, a state where the number of neutrons in a nuclear fission chain reaction reaches equilibrium, allowing for the resumption of operations.
The approval follows a comprehensive safety assessment and inspections conducted by the NSSC, which verified that all necessary safety measures and improvements had been implemented. These included design changes to accident management facilities and the installation of new equipment to ensure the reactor's safety during operations. The NSSC confirmed that 10 specific safety measures required prior to restarting operations were completed, alongside the replacement of cables to enhance safety margins.
Continued Operation and Future Plans
Kori unit 2 is now authorized to operate until April 8, 2033, under a continued operation system that allows nuclear plants to function beyond their original design life, contingent on meeting safety standards. KHNP is also in the process of submitting safety assessment reports for nine other nuclear units, including Kori units 3 and 4, Hanbit units 1 and 2, Hanul units 1 and 2, and Wolsong units 2, 3, and 4, whose operating licenses are set to expire before 2030.
Historical Context and Previous Shutdowns
The Kori Nuclear Power Plant has a significant history, with unit 1 permanently shut down in June 2017 after 40 years of operation, marking it as South Korea's first reactor to enter decommissioning. The NSSC approved the decommissioning of Kori unit 1 in June 2022. Units 3 and 4 at the Kori plant were suspended in September 2024 and August 2022, respectively, due to the expiration of their 40-year design lives.
Criticism and Opposition
While the restart of Kori unit 2 has been met with regulatory approval, there are ongoing discussions regarding the safety of aging nuclear reactors in South Korea. Critics have raised concerns about the long-term implications of operating reactors beyond their original design life, emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures and public transparency in the decision-making process.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The NSSC confirmed improvements, including design changes to accident management facilities such as an external injection path for reactor coolant, and the installation of new equipment to supply power to essential accident response systems.” — NSSC Official
- “Kori-2 is the first nuclear power plant to resume operations after fully implementing the requirements of the "Severe Accident Management Plan," which codifies the response system for severe accidents.” — KHNP Representative
The restart of Kori unit 2 marks a significant step in South Korea's nuclear energy strategy, with implications for the country's energy landscape as it navigates the challenges of aging infrastructure and public safety concerns.
