A generator at a South Korean nuclear power plant has suspended operation due to a malfunction in the generator control rods, Yonhap News Agency said, quoting the power plant operator Saturday.

"The No. 5 generator shut down at about 10:11 p.m. Friday as lower voltage led to a breakdown in its control rods," said a unit of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. in Yeonggwang, about 322km southwest of Seoul.

The stoppage of the generator does not pose a safety hazard and has little impact on the outside environment, the company was quoted as saying.

The operator said it plans to resume producing electricity at the generator soon.