Automatic Start of Emergency Generators at Gori Units 3 and 4... "Under Investigation"

Gori Units 3 & 4 and Shin-Gori Units 1 & 2 Shutdown, Emergency Generators Activated at Gori Units 1 & 2
Automatic Emergency Generator Start at Gori Units 3 & 4... Experts Say "Not an Accident, Safety Device Operation"
Local Governments and Environmental Groups Concerned... "Cutoff of External Power Supply Also Problematic, Government Investigation Needed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] It was confirmed on the 4th that the emergency diesel generators at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's Gori Units 3 and 4 automatically started due to the impact of Typhoon Maysak. This occurred after the operation of four reactors at the Gori Nuclear Power Plant was halted the previous day, and the emergency diesel generators at Gori Units 1 and 2 were activated.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) announced that at around 12:29 a.m. on the same day, it received a report from KHNP that the emergency diesel generator of system A at Gori Unit 3 and the emergency diesel generator of system B at Gori Unit 4 had automatically started.

Both Gori Units 3 and 4 have two emergency diesel generator systems, A and B. The emergency diesel generators automatically start when there is an abnormality in the power supply from outside.

An NSSC official stated, "The regional office installed on-site is assessing the initial situation," and added, "The incident investigation team from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, dispatched the previous day, is investigating the reactor shutdown incidents at Gori Units 3 and 4."

Earlier, the NSSC had announced that Gori Units 3 and 4, as well as Shin-Gori Units 1 and 2, were shut down due to the impact of Typhoon Maysak. According to the NSSC, Gori Units 3 and 4 reactors were automatically shut down due to problems with the transmission lines caused by the typhoon.

The NSSC understands that the reactors were automatically stopped due to issues with the transmission lines outside the power plant. The activation of the emergency generators indicates that the external power supply to the reactors was incomplete.

An NSSC official explained, "The B system of Gori Unit 3 and the A system of Gori Unit 4, which did not activate their emergency diesel generators, are receiving power normally from outside the plant," and added, "Currently, the plant is maintaining a safe shutdown state, and the radiation levels inside the plant are confirmed to be at normal levels."

Experts say that the nuclear power plants stopping due to the typhoon is not because of a malfunction or accident, but rather a phenomenon resulting from safety devices working properly to prevent accidents.

However, concerns from local governments and environmental groups remain significant. Oh Gyuseok, the mayor of Gijang County, visited the Gori Nuclear Power Headquarters the previous day to protest, saying, "The unprecedented situation where all four reactors at Gori Nuclear Power Plant stopped simultaneously due to the typhoon has caused residents to be so anxious that they cannot live in peace," and criticized, "How can our residents trust living near a nuclear power plant?"

The Busan Environmental Movement Federation stated, "Given the recurring abnormal climate phenomena, the vulnerability and risks of nuclear power plants will inevitably increase," and added, "Since accidents such as nuclear power plant shutdowns can occur not only inside the plant but also due to power outages caused by transmission line problems and external power supply interruptions, thorough government investigations are necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.