Aging nuclear plants present a dilemma

With Korea’s first nuclear power plant due to be decommissioned in three years, the government is moving on a law to extend the operating lives of nuclear plants. Environmentalists opposed to nuclear power have denounced the government measure. Gori I plant, the country’s first nuclear plant built in 1978 in South Gyeongsang province, is set to close in three years. While there is no definitive set lifespan for nuclear power plants, U.S. firm Westinghouse, which built it, recommended it be shut down after 30 years. In 2013, Weolseong I plant, and Gori I and II plants will reach the end of their 30-year runs. There are 19 nuclear power plants in operation in South Korea; when the Uljin VI plant goes into operation in June, there will be 20. Nuclear power accounts for 40 percent of the electric power generated in South Korea, but the relatively short history of nuclear generation means there are no guidelines for decommissioning the plants. The Ministry of Science and Technology said yesterday plans are being developed to amend laws to create such guidelines. “We have newly drafted 58 guidelines to determine the safety of aging nuclear power plants,” said a ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We plan to complete the necessary revisions to the Atomic Energy Act within this year, and then decide whether to extend the life of the plants or completely close them down.” Critics point out that the government’s measure is too late, and there may not now be sufficient time to deal with the aging nuclear plants. “The government has dragged its feet on the matter, as they were preoccupied with defusing controversy over the construction of a nuclear waste processing facility,” said Kang Chang-soon, a professor of nuclear engineering at Seoul National University. “There may be bigger headaches ahead if the government were to hurry as it is pressed for time.” Lee Seung-hwa, a coordinator with the Korean Federation of Environmental Movements, said, “A design lifespan is designated with safety in mind. To extend their lives would increase the possibility of an accident.” by Kim Ji-soo