▲ An aerial view of the Kori Nuclear Power Plant
The accident management action plans for Units 3 and 4 of the Kori Nuclear Power Plant in Gijang, Busan, which are currently undergoing reviews for extended operation, were approved today (Oct. 15).
However, the decision on the continued operation of Kori Units 3 and 4, which underwent its first review earlier in the day, has been postponed to a subsequent meeting.
During its 16th meeting of 2026 held today, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) passed the approval of the accident management plans for Kori Units 3 and 4, as well as Hanbit Units 1 and 2 in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, through a vote.
An accident management action plan is a document that outlines the scope of accident management, management facilities, management strategies, implementation frameworks, accident management capability evaluations, and training plans for design-basis accidents, multiple failures, external disasters exceeding design bases, and severe accidents.
The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) verified through Q&A sessions and on-site inspections that the accident management strategies and implementation frameworks for the plans of Kori Units 3 and 4 and Hanbit Units 1 and 2 met regulatory requirements.
The Nuclear Safety Expert Committee also confirmed the appropriateness of the KINS review results following six preliminary reviews conducted over a period of nine months.
The meeting, which began at 10:30 a.m., featured discussions on various facilities and safety standards within the accident management action plans, as well as evaluations of accident management capabilities for each incident type.
In an afternoon vote held at 1:00 p.m., the NSSC passed the original proposal with 7 votes in favor among the 9 incumbent commissioners, excluding Commissioners Park Jong-woon and Jin Jae-yong, who expressed opposition.
The plans passed on their third deliberation. In a previous meeting on September 11, the issue was sent back for re-deliberation, and a vote attempted on September 30 fell short of the required two-thirds majority of incumbent members due to three opposing votes.
Although the accident management action plans for Kori Units 3 and 4 were approved, the continued operation of Kori Units 3 and 4, deliberated as the third agenda item, was decided to be re-discussed at a later date.
As discussions extended over the second agenda item—"Proposed amendments to subordinate statutes including the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Physical Protection and Radiological Emergency Planning for Nuclear Facilities, etc., concerning the reorganization of physical protection systems"—the reporting on the continued operation agenda did not begin until past 4:30 p.m.
The second agenda item was passed with modifications, with only Commissioner Park Jong-woon voting against it.
Regarding the continued operation, NSSC commissioners took turns raising questions and requesting document submissions. Around 6:15 p.m., Chairperson Choi suspended the decision, stating, "We will re-discuss this at a later date."
Operations for Kori Unit 3 were suspended on September 28, 2024, while Unit 4 halted operations on August 6 of last year.
If the NSSC grants approval for continued operation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) can push forward with restarting the two reactors following the relevant procedures.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Park Jong-woon, who was previously reported to have used harsh language toward officials from the review agency during an NSSC meeting, continued to clash during the proceedings.
When Commissioner Park appeared to point his finger at a presenter while asking questions, an official NSSC section chief requested that he refrain from pointing fingers.
Additionally, as Commissioner Park continued to ask questions regarding the continued operation agenda without waiting for answers from the review agency, Chairperson Choi Won-ho intervened to maintain orderly proceedings, leading to a verbal exchange.
After finishing his questions and without listening to the responses, Commissioner Park stated, "It's almost time for my train," and left the room.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.