It has been confirmed that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has been fined and referred for investigation by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) due to lax management, including omitting access records for key nuclear zones and fabricating entry logs after being caught.

NSSC Chairperson Choi Won-ho confirmed this during a parliamentary audit of the NSSC by the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly main building today (October 13), in response to a point raised by People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-suk.

According to Lawmaker Lee, it was confirmed that 21 entry records for 34 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection personnel were omitted from the radiation-controlled vital areas of Gori Unit 2, Hanul Unit 1, and Shin-Hanul Unit 1 over a two-year period starting in February 2023.

The NSSC caught this during a routine inspection of Gori Unit 2 last year and requested KHNP and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC) to inspect all nuclear power plants.

However, KHNP reported "no abnormalities" for the rest of the nuclear plants excluding Gori Unit 2, and additional verification by KINAC revealed further omissions involving 21 people entering Hanul Unit 1 and Shin-Hanul Unit 1.

It was found that Shin-Hanul Unit 1 submitted retroactively created entry logs as evidentiary material after the omission came to light.

Lawmaker Lee criticized, "Not knowing who entered or exited a national critical facility is a major defect and flaw."

Lee Na-young, President of KINAC, stated, "Since IAEA inspectors are international organization inspectors, they have the authority to enter without applying, which is likely why the omissions occurred."

Chairperson Choi stated, "We verified the disciplinary omissions, record omissions, and post-facto record creation, and imposed a fine," adding, "We have also requested an investigation (by the special judicial police), and the investigation is currently underway."

(Photo: Yonhap News)