256 kg of heavy water leaked from Wolsong-2 reactor; no radiation issue reported

The Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.

A leakage of heavy water from a nuclear reactor in the southeastern region occurred Friday, with no issue related to radiation having been detected, nuclear safety officials said.

The leak incident at the Wolsong-2 reactor in the southeastern city of Gyeongju was reported by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) earlier in the day to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

Nuclear safety officials have carried out an on-site investigation to identify the cause of the leak. No irregularities in external radiation levels have been detected.

As of noon, the amount of heavy water leaked was estimated at 265 kilograms, but the water has not escaped outside the facility, the commission said.

The Wolsong-2 reactor has been shut down for a regular inspection. KHNP said it immediately closed related pumps after detecting the leak.