Nuclear safety watchdog approves 10-year life extension of Kori-2 reactor
This file photo shows the Kori-2 nuclear reactor, second from right, in the southeastern port city of Busan, Sept. 25. Yonhap
Korea's nuclear watchdog on Thursday approved a plan to extend the lifespan of the Kori-2 nuclear reactor by an additional 10 years, signaling a more diverse energy mix in the government's green energy drive amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.
The approval by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission came two years after the Kori-2 nuclear reactor, located on the country's southeastern coast, shut down after 40 years of commercial operations that began in 1983.
The commission said its review showed the Kori-2 reactor "maintains sufficient safety margins" and meets safety requirements, including the environmental impact assessment.
"Accordingly, the Kori-2 reactor can operate through April 8, 2033," the watchdog said in a release.
The decision affecting the Kori-2 reactor is expected to set a precedent for nine other aging reactors, for which Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), the state-run nuclear plant operator, plans to seek life extensions.
The Kori-2 currently is the nation's oldest active reactor. Two reactors, Kori-1 and Wolsong-1 units, have been permanently shut down so far.
The watchdog previously held two rounds of review in September and October but fell short of reaching a decision as committee members requested more time.
Following the decision, the KHNP plans to carry out equipment replacements to secure the reactor's safety margins, which will be followed by the watchdog's on-site inspection ahead of the planned operation.
"Through the on-site inspection, the committee will thoroughly check whether KHNP's equipment renovation meets safety standards so the Kori-2 reactor can operate safely," Choi Won-ho, chairperson of the commission, said.
The incumbent Lee Jae Myung administration has been pushing to expand the country's use of renewable energy resources, though the industry has voiced concerns over potential power shortages amid the ongoing AI drive.
The KHNP said it welcomes the decision and will do its utmost to ensure the timely restart of the Kori-2 reactor with safety as its top priority.
Nuclear power is widely expected to serve as a critical energy source in meeting a surge in energy demand in advanced industries, such as in AI and related data centers, while also supporting the country's mandate in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Experts said the decision to resume and continue operations of the Kori-2 reactor will lead to a stable supply of electricity in Korea.
"Nuclear energy is the most economical carbon-free source," Choi Sung-min, a nuclear energy professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), told Yonhap News Agency, welcoming the watchdog's approval.
"The continued operation will contribute to Korea's economy, industrial competitiveness and achievement of the NDC target," Choi said, referring to the country's carbon emission reduction goal, known as the nationally determined contribution (NDC).
On Tuesday, the government approved the plan to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 53 to 61 percent from 2018 levels by 2035.