NSSC Allows Criticality of 'Sinwolsong Unit 2'... Follow-up Inspections Including Power Ascension Test to Follow

Shinwolseong Units 1 and 2 (archival photo)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission allowed the criticality of Shin-Wolsong Unit 2 on the 17th. Criticality refers to the state in a reactor where the nuclear fission chain reaction continues, and the number of neutrons produced equals the number of neutrons lost, achieving neutron equilibrium, which essentially means the reactor is restarted.

The NSSC has been conducting a regular inspection of Shin-Wolsong Unit 2 since the 7th of last month. Through this, inspections of 80 items that must be performed before criticality during the regular inspection were carried out, confirming that the reactor can safely achieve criticality in the future.

The NSSC confirmed that there were no leakage signs in the 84 penetrations of the 'reactor head,' which is the control rod passage, and that all 23 foreign substances identified during the camera inspection of the steam generator tubes were removed.

An NSSC official stated, "Based on the results of the regular inspection so far, we have allowed the criticality of Shin-Wolsong Unit 2," adding, "We plan to finalize safety confirmation through follow-up tests (10 items), including the power ascension test."

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