NSSC Approves Restart of Hanul Unit 1 and Wolsong Unit 4 Following 'Regular Inspections'

Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant located in Naari, Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. (Photo by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced on the 7th that it has approved the restart (criticality) of Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 and Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 4, which are undergoing regular inspections.

The NSSC conducted 82 inspections at Hanul Unit 1 starting from July 23 and 84 inspections at Wolseong Unit 4 starting from July 22, and judged that reactor operation is possible.

During the regular inspection of Hanul Unit 1, two foreign substances detected by foreign material inspection equipment were removed.

Fifty-two penetration tubes, which serve as the upper control rod movement passages of the reactor, were inspected, and sleeves, internal components of seven penetration tubes, were replaced.

As a result of checking the implementation status of safety enhancement measures, 37 out of 42 Fukushima follow-up measures have been completed, and 5 are in progress.

At Wolseong Unit 4, the upper cover of the first-stage moisture separator of the steam generator was partially damaged and replaced with a new product.

The reactor coolant pump motor and the condenser cooling water pump motor were disassembled and inspected, and high-voltage motors such as the equipment cooling seawater pump were diagnosed to confirm that insulation was properly maintained.

The instrument transformer damaged by Typhoon Haishen was replaced, and salt cleaning and silicone coating were also completed.

Out of 40 Fukushima follow-up measures, 36 have been completed and 4 are in progress.

The NSSC plans to complete the regular inspections after conducting 10 tests including power ascension tests for Hanul Unit 1 and 8 follow-up tests for Wolseong Unit 4.

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