Saewool Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 Successfully Complete IAEA Safety Inspection

An IAEA safety inspection team member from OSART is conducting a safety inspection of Saewool Units 1 and 2.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety inspection of Saeul Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 has been completed.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (President Hwang Ju-ho) announced on the 18th that from October 31 to November 17, the IAEA Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) successfully completed a safety inspection of Saeul Units 1 and 2 (formerly Shin-Kori Units 3 and 4).

The IAEA safety inspection is a program that objectively and independently evaluates the operational safety of nuclear power plants in member countries by applying international standards. This inspection of Saeul Units 1 and 2 marks the seventh such inspection for domestic nuclear power plants. The IAEA safety inspection provides a valuable opportunity to enhance the objectivity and transparency of domestic nuclear safety and to gain trust from the international community.

The inspection team consisted of 13 experts from 11 countries under the IAEA, who conducted the inspection based on strengthened international nuclear safety standards established after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. They reviewed 10 areas including leadership, operation, maintenance, emergency response, and accident management.

As excellent practices, the operation of portable environmental radiation monitoring equipment and the use of mobile seawater purification systems were identified. Some improvement suggestions included strengthening supervision of the competency development of on-site plant operators.

Team leader Fuming JIANG said, “Although there are some areas for improvement, we confirmed that the plant management and staff continuously prioritize safety and are enhancing safety performance.”

He added, “Plant employees are dedicated to improving nuclear safety and reliability, and the plant manager demonstrated strong will and efforts to strengthen the nuclear safety culture.”

KHNP plans to establish follow-up action plans within the year to further enhance nuclear safety based on the improvement suggestions derived by the IAEA.

President Hwang Ju-ho of KHNP stated, “This inspection is the first IAEA safety review for the APR1400 reactor type,” and added, “Being recognized for safety by an international organization will elevate the status of our nuclear industry and is expected to aid overseas exports.”

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