NSSC Begins Review for Continued Operation of Gori Unit 2... Strengthening Nuclear Power Export

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced that it will officially begin the safety review for the continued operation of Gori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2, whose design life expires in April next year.

On the 28th, the NSSC reported the '2023 Work Plan,' which includes new nuclear power plant construction, development of innovative SMRs, and nuclear power export, to President Yoon Seok-yeol.

First, the commission will conduct safety reviews for the continued operation and construction permits of Gori Unit 2 and Shin Hanul Unit 3. For the continued operation of nuclear plants such as Gori Units 2, 3, and 4, it plans to verify safety for an additional 10-year operation period. Additionally, for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, whose construction recently resumed, the latest technical standards will be applied considering the five-year suspension period of the review process.

As the government aims to export 10 nuclear reactors overseas by 2030, the NSSC will also form an internal dedicated task force (TF) to support exports. In particular, if domestic design approval is required for the new export model 'APR1000,' the safety verification process will be conducted in a timely manner.

From next year, the development of innovative Small Modular Reactors (i-SMR) will also be intensified. Safety goals and requirements to be considered during design will be presented first, and a system will be operated to review safety issues from the design stage through communication with developers.

Monitoring will be strengthened in preparation for the planned discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan in the first half of next year. The government will analyze Fukushima nuclear plant contaminated water together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Also, starting from the second half of next year, measures such as exposure management, health impact surveys, and safety education will be introduced to protect airline crew members from radiation.

Regarding accident-tolerant nuclear fuel (nuclear fuel capable of withstanding significant time even in environments where cooling functions are lost), which is a safety requirement of the Korean Green Taxonomy (K-Taxonomy), the commission will continue to develop systems to verify performance and safety, including core melt resistance.

Yoo Guk-hee, Chairperson of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, is answering questions at the 2023 work report press briefing held on the 28th at the Government Seoul Office Joint Briefing Room located in Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

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