Nuclear Safety Commission to Reconsider Accident Management Plans for Kori Units 3 and 4, Hanbit Units 1 and 2

On September 11, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission reviewed, but did not reach a conclusion on, the accident management plan approval and operating license amendment for Units 3 and 4 at the Kori Nuclear Power Plant in Gijang, Busan, and Units 1 and 2 at the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do. Approval of the accident management plan is effectively the first step toward obtaining continued operation approval.

The commission held its 2026-14th meeting that day, reviewing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's application for approval of the accident management plan and operating license amendment for Kori Units 3 and 4 and Hanbit Units 1 and 2, but decided to revisit the issue in a future session after failing to reach a conclusion.

The accident management plan is a document detailing the scope of management, management facilities, management strategies, and training plans in the event of a nuclear power plant accident.

In June 2019, in accordance with the revision of the Nuclear Safety Act in June 2015, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power submitted accident management plans for 28 nuclear reactors, including Kori Units 3 and 4 and Hanbit Units 1 and 2.

The accident management plans for Kori Units 3 and 4 and Hanbit Units 1 and 2 reviewed this time were presented after a safety review by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) and preliminary examination over approximately nine months by the Nuclear Safety Expert Committee in a total of six sessions.

Kori Units 3 and 4 commenced commercial operation in September 1985 and April 1986, respectively, while Hanbit Units 1 and 2 began commercial operation in August 1986 and June 1987, respectively.

At a work report in August, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission stated its goal of deciding on continued operation approval for Kori Units 3 and 4 in the second half of this year, and for Hanbit Units 1 and 2 in the first half of next year.

At the same meeting, the commission also reviewed and approved Orbitek’s request for a 'special nuclear material use permit,' which was submitted to enable transfer of nuclear fuel material between business sites.

In addition, the commission approved amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rule of the Act on Safety Control of Surrounding Radiation, expanding the requirement to report health examination results from only crew members with special findings to all crew members.

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