Chairman Choi Wonho: "Deliberations on Continued Operation of Kori Units 3 and 4 Next Year... i-SMR Review Guidelines to Be Finalized This Year"

"Extension of Continued Operation Period Requires Public Consensus"
i-SMR Standard Design Approval Guidelines to Be Completed This Year
Regulations for Nuclear Fuel Enrichment and Reprocessing Also in Preparation

Choi Wonho, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, is giving a greeting at a press briefing held on the 4th. 2025.12.4 Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

Following last month's approval for the continued operation of Kori Unit 2, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission will begin deliberations on Kori Units 3 and 4 in the middle of next year. The review for standard design approval of the innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR) is also expected to start next year. In addition, following the recent agreement between Korea and the United States on nuclear fuel enrichment and reprocessing, the Commission plans to take charge of safety regulations related to these areas.

Choi Wonho, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, made these remarks at a press briefing held at a restaurant in Seoul on the 4th. Chairman Choi stated, "The continued operation of Kori Units 3 and 4 is currently under review by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS)," adding, "We expect to be able to deliberate on both units simultaneously in the middle of next year."

Kori Units 3 and 4, which began operation in 1984 and 1985 respectively, had their operating licenses expire on September 28, 2024, and August 6, 2025. As a result, both units are currently offline. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power submitted the results of safety evaluations for both reactors simultaneously in September 2022 and applied for operating license amendments in November 2023. From April to July 2023, public opinion was gathered on the draft of the radiological environmental impact assessment report.

The nuclear industry expects that, given the recent experience with the review of Kori Unit 2's continued operation, the review process for Kori Units 3 and 4 will proceed quickly. In response, Chairman Choi said, "Through the review of Kori Unit 2, many of the contentious issues have been resolved, so I believe we can proceed in a more systematic manner." However, he also noted, "The reactor types and characteristics of Kori Unit 2 and Units 3 and 4 are somewhat different, so there are aspects that require in-depth examination."

The Commission plans to adjust any overlapping items in the criteria for continued operation evaluations. Domestic criteria for continued operation incorporate the periodic safety review (every 10 years) recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as major equipment lifetime assessments and radiological environmental impact assessments required by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Chairman Choi explained, "There are overlapping areas, such as lifetime and environmental impact assessments, even within the periodic safety review, so we plan to make adjustments."

However, regarding the extension of the continued operation approval period (from 10 years to 20 years) advocated by the academic community, Chairman Choi expressed a cautious stance.

Chairman Choi stated, "In Korea, approvals are granted in 10-year increments, but there is no limit on the number of extensions," adding, "If applications for continued operation reviews are submitted with sufficient time, operation can continue without interruption." He also noted that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's internal guidelines allow for economic evaluations in 20- to 30-year increments, so this does not pose an obstacle to continued operation.

Chairman Choi explained that last year, the Commission internally reviewed the option of extending the continued operation approval period from 10 years to 20 years, but decided to defer the matter, considering that a public consensus process, including gathering public opinion, is necessary. He added that a legal amendment would be required to extend the approval period.

Regarding the i-SMR, for which an application for standard design approval is expected early next year, Chairman Choi said, "We plan to complete the relevant guidelines by the end of this year," and "We will proceed with the review once the application is submitted."

The Commission believes that, given its prior experience with the standard design approval of small modular reactors such as SMART and SMART100, there should be no major difficulties in the standard design approval process for the i-SMR. Detailed guidelines for construction permits and demonstration projects, which will follow standard design approval, are planned to be prepared next year.

It is also expected that the Commission's role will expand in the future regarding nuclear-powered submarine construction, nuclear fuel enrichment, and reprocessing, following the recent agreement between the Korean and U.S. governments.

Regarding the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, Chairman Choi explained, "The Commission regulates only commercial nuclear power plants for peaceful use, and internationally, there are separate systems for reactors used for military purposes, such as nuclear-powered submarines or aircraft carriers." However, he added, "If the construction of nuclear-powered submarines is confirmed in the future, there may be areas where we need to provide support."

On nuclear fuel enrichment and reprocessing, Chairman Choi said, "Currently, there is no regulatory framework for uranium mining, refining, or reprocessing, so a new system must be established," adding, "Once the policy direction is set, the Commission will prepare accordingly."

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