Korea to begin dismantlement process for Kori-1 power plant next year

The now-retired Kori-1 nuclear reactor located in the southeastern port city of Busan [KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER]

Korea is set to dismantle the decommissioned Kori-1 nuclear reactor next year, the Industry Ministry said Friday.

As the country's first commercial nuclear power plant, the Kori-1 reactor in Busan was closed in June 2017 after some 40 years of service from 1978.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is now awaiting approval by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission for the reactor's dismantlement.

"The successful dismantlement of a power plant carries significance in the nuclear industry ecosystem," a ministry official said. "We are expected to get down to the dismantlement process for the Kori-1 reactor next week, which will be a chance to boost the competitiveness of the industry."

BY SEO JI-EUN, YONHAP [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]