Typhoon 'Maysak' Shuts Down Four Reactors at Gori Nuclear Power Plant... "Safety Maintained"

by Moon Chaeseok

Published 03 Sep.2020 06:49(KST)

Updated 03 Sep.2020 08:54(KST)

Gori Units 3 and 4, Shin-Kori Units 1 and 2 Reactors Shutdown... "On-site Investigation Underway"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Due to the impact of Typhoon 'Maysak' that swept through Busan, problems occurred in the power transmission lines, causing the automatic shutdown of four nuclear reactors.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) announced on the 3rd that it received reports from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's (KHNP) Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters that the reactors of Kori Units 3 and 4 and Shin-Kori Units 1 and 2 were automatically stopped.

The report regarding Shin-Kori Unit 1 was received around 12:59 a.m. that day. Subsequently, reports for Shin-Kori Unit 2 (around 1:12 a.m.), Kori Unit 3 (around 2:53 a.m.), and Kori Unit 4 (around 3:01 a.m.) were received.

An NSSC official stated, "The local office installed on site is assessing the initial situation, and an incident investigation team composed of experts from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety has been dispatched to conduct an investigation."

KHNP's Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters estimates that the reactors stopped due to abnormalities in the power system outside the power plant and is analyzing the cause.

The NSSC explained that the four reactors were operating normally after the NSSC had permitted criticality.

It added that the emergency diesel generators automatically operated at Kori Unit 1, which was permanently shut down in 2017, and Kori Unit 2, which is currently under maintenance, ensuring there are no safety issues.

Kori Unit 1 was automatically started around 2:24 a.m., and Kori Unit 2 around 3:30 a.m.

An NSSC official said, "Currently, the power plants are maintaining a safe shutdown state, and the radiation levels inside the facilities are confirmed to be at normal levels."