The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) launched reviews today (the 11th) regarding the life extension of four aging nuclear reactors, but decided to continue discussions further.

During its 14th meeting of 2026 held today, the NSSC deliberated on the approval of accident management plans and operational change permits for Kori Units 3 and 4 and Hanbit Units 1 and 2, which were submitted by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), but failed to reach a conclusion.

Consequently, the NSSC decided to resubmit the matter as an agenda item at a future meeting for further review.

An accident management plan is a document that outlines the scope of nuclear accident management, management facilities, response strategies, and training plans.

For aging nuclear power plants, the approval of this plan significantly increases the likelihood that continued operation will be permitted. As a result, plan approval is considered a crucial gateway in discussions regarding the extension of nuclear plant lifespans.

In fact, Kori Unit 2 in Gijang-gun, Busan, received approval for its accident management plan in October of last year, and its continued operation was decided the very next month.

The four nuclear reactors discussed today are all pressurized water reactors with a capacity of 950 megawatts (MW).

Kori Units 3 and 4, located in Gijang-gun, Busan, began commercial operation in September 1985 and April 1986, respectively, while Hanbit Units 1 and 2, located in Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla Province, commenced commercial operation in August 1986 and June 1987, respectively.

During its policy briefing in August, the NSSC presented a goal to decide on the continued operation permits 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 today's meeting, the NSSC deliberated and voted to approve the application submitted by Orbitech for the permission to use nuclear fuel materials in order to transfer them to its business site.

It also approved amendments to the enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the Act on Safety Management of Radiation around Daily Life, expanding the requirement for health checkup result reporting from crew members with specific medical findings to all crew members.

(Photo: Yonhap News)