IEA wants S.Korea to be more transparent with nuclear power

There should be nothing to hide.

This might as well be what the International Energy Agency is telling South Korea when it demanded more transparency to its nuclear power sector and strengthen the independence of regulators to increase trust in the safety of its plants.

South Korea has 23 nuclear reactors that supply a third of its power. The country plans to add 11 more by 2024.

Its nuclear sector has been involved in a series of minor incidents and a scandal over forged certificates for parts used in what the government insists are non-essential operations - events that have caused two reactors to be shut.

"The IEA suggests that adding reactors is a practical and efficient policy, and an excellent example to other countries, considering the situation that South Korea does not have many alternatives for other energy resources," the South Korea's economy ministry said.

The South Korean government has been criticised for a lack of transparency over safety in its nuclear programme and for the dual supervisory and promotion roles of its regulators.

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