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| Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power CEO Chung Jae-hoon speaks during a press conference in southeastern Seoul, Friday, to announce the early shutdown of the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor. / Yonhap |
State-run operator also halts plans to build four more reactors
By Nam Hyun-woo
The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said Friday its board has decided to shut down the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, before the end of its lifespan and scrap all plans for building four new reactors across the country.
"According to the government's energy policy shift, we have reviewed operational plans of Wolsong reactors several times and concluded keeping the Wolsong-1 operating under strengthened safety regulations would not be economical," KHNP CEO Chung Jae-hoon said in a press conference in Seoul.
"Also, the plans for building new reactors of Cheonji-1,2 and Daejin-1,2 would be terminated in order to eradicate uncertainties in the KHNP's management and restore smooth relations with local residents."
The KHNP has already purchased lots equivalent to 19 percent of the space required for the Cheonji reactors in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, but decided to resell the lots. The Daejin reactors were scheduled to be established in Samcheok, Gangwon Province.
Following the decision, Chung said the KHNP will file an administrative request with the national Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC). Then, the Wolsong-1, whose lifespan ends in November 2022, will be the second nuclear reactor to be shut down in Korea, following the Kori-1, which closed last June.
The 679 megawatt reactor began its commercial operation in April 1983 and was initially scheduled to stop in 2012, but the NSSC extended its lifespan to 2022, causing disputes with opposing local residents over compensation. The reactor itself also caused problems after it resumed operation in 2015 and was stopped twice a year. It has not been operating since May for maintenance.
Closing the Wolsong-1 before its lifespan was part of President Moon Jae-in's election platform. Moon has been underscoring his nuclear-free energy policy and strengthening safety regulations to phase out nuclear reactors in the country.
The moves picked up momentum after public concerns over nuclear power in the wake of a series of earthquakes that rocked the southeastern regions of the country, which used to be regarded as safe from earthquakes.
The government doesn't expect the absence of the Wolsong-1 to cause problems in supplying electricity for the country this year.
Last December, the government announced the Eighth Basic Plan of Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand, which is the country's basic roadmap for the electricity supply up to 2031, and excluded the Wolsong-1 as a power source saying it will not likely contribute.
Despite the KHNP's decision, the state-run corporation's union is strongly opposing the Wolsong-1's early closing, arguing the decision has no legal grounds.
"The Eighth Basic Plan of Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand is a patchwork plan to reflect the President's campaign pledge and the decision to close the plant is invalid," the union said in a statement.
"The NSSC has approved the Wolsong-1's operation until 2022, after pouring 560 billion won to replace facilities and enhance safety measures. The board's decision appears to be swayed by political circumstances."
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