By Kwon Mee-yoo
Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo visited nuclear power facilities in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday, after a recent power outage at one of the reactors at the Gori Nuclear Power Plant.
Hong visited the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant and the construction site of a radioactive waste repository in the southeastern city. The radioactive waste storage recently extended its building period to 18 months to ensure safety.
Hong spoke of the power cut at the Gori reactor during his visit to Wolseong facility and asked for tighter discipline among staff at nuclear plants.
“The accident in Gori heightened distrust against nuclear energy and its safety measures. The workers at nuclear plants should reflect on the accident and prevent another one,” the minister said. “The nuclear industry should improve communication to report directly to te directors in case of an emergency. All workers should know the manuals fully and put what they say into use in emergencies.”
Originally, the minister was scheduled to visit the low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal center, commemorating the first anniversary of the nuclear accident in Japan, but changed the plan to head to the Wolseong facility first.
He checked the emergency back-up diesel generator, which failed during the blackout in Gori and emphasized inspections and the maintenance of safety features. Reactor No. 1 at Wolseong began operating in 1982 and is at the end of its 30-year design fatigue life.
The nuclear waste repository was to be completed by the end of 2012 but this has been postponed to June 2014 to reinforce the ground and block out subterranean water.
The minister inspected the construction site from 80 to 130 meters below ground, especially the area where construction is delayed.
He again highlighted safety in building the nuclear waste repository and asked for a full safety report.