Establishment of Nuclear Decommissioning Research Institute Corporation: "Construction to Start in Second Half of Next Year"

Exterior view of Gori Unit 1. (Photo by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced on the 27th that the establishment of the Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Research Institute (Wonhaeyeon) corporation has been completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of next year.

Wonhaeyeon was established as a public interest foundation corporation funded by public institutions such as KHNP. The corporation's main office will be located in Gijang-gun, Busan, where the Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters is situated.

The corporation's board of directors consists of 16 members, including KHNP as the largest funding institution, public institutions such as KEPCO KPS, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel, KEPCO Engineering & Construction, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, local governments (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongju), and public institution recommended personnel. The chairman of the board is Jeong Jae-hoon, CEO of KHNP.

The inaugural board meeting will be held next month to discuss plans for establishing Wonhaeyeon.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "The research institute will play a pivotal role as a foothold for entering the global nuclear power plant decommissioning market by advancing domestic decommissioning technology, fostering domestic and international technological cooperation and workforce development, providing information, and supporting technology commercialization and the industry."

KHNP will take the lead in the initial operation of the corporation, including project funding, progress management, and licensing.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

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