Int`l nuke watchdog OKs S.Korea`s nuclear plant in Gyeongju

The International Atomic Energy Agency has released a final report saying the No. 1 reactor of South Korea`s Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, has met international standards on facilities and safety, the plant`s operator Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power said Wednesday.

With a capacity of 678,000 kilowatts, the facility underwent safety inspections in May and June last year as it was approaching the end of its 30-year operational life in November last year. Reactor operations have been suspended and the agency is reviewing whether to allow a restart.

Comprising nuclear energy experts from Sweden, Canada, Switzerland and Japan, an agency team made 13 recommendations to enhance the reactor`s safety, including streamlining equipment as a precaution against an earthquake and repainting the reactor`s containment building.

"The recommendations have already been implemented or are easy to implement," said Kim Jong-man, a staff member of the nuclear power agency.

mickey@donga.com