Korea's new quakeproof nuclear reactor to operate ahead of schedule

South Korea's new nuclear power reactor under construction will start commercial operation in December ahead of schedule.

It will be South Korea's 22nd nuclear power reactor.

Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. originally planned to dedicate the New Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor located near this historic city, about 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul, starting in March next year.

"The test run of the nuclear reactor is coming to a close," a company official said. "It is expected to be complete by yearend, enabling the reactor to generate electricity from the end of this year."

Daewoo Engineering & Construction said it plans to get an imprimatur from the government to operate the reactor, which will have a capacity of 1 million kilowatts per hour.

Daewoo Engineering & Construction said it will also complete another nuclear reactor, the New Wolsong-2, by the end of next year, a month ahead of schedule.

Daewoo Engineering & Construction and the country's operator of nuclear reactors, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., said that the New Wolsong-1 reactor has quakeproof and other safety features.

The reactor will be safe even if an earthquake with the magnitude of 6.5 takes place right below it, they said.

The full story is available at Yonhapnews.