South Korean nuclear reactor comes online again

Hanul No. 1 began supplying power this week. The reactor, located in Uljin county southeast of Seoul, is one of South Korea’s 23 nuclear reactors. It restarted after a scheduled maintenance shutdown. Five other reactors remain offline, leading to concerns about blackouts this winter. Tests conducted by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission during the maintenance show that the performance and operation of the reactor and its related facilities were satisfactory. The reactor is operated by state-run utility Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power that operates all South Korea's nuclear reactors. These reactors supply a third of South Korea’s electricity. An ongoing scandal about nuclear safety certificates, however, has led to the indictment of 100 people for corruption, and to rising public discontent with nuclear power. A study group commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has recommended that nuclear power should be reduced to between 22% and 29% of overall generating capacity by 2035 compared to a government plan for 41% by 2030. The ministry could, however, revise its energy policy next month after public hearings.