The Kori Nuclear Power Plant's Units 3 and 4, which had been offline due to the expiration of their operating licenses, have received approval for continued operation. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power plans to sequentially restart the units in the first half of next year after completing equipment upgrades and regular inspections.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced on October 27 that it received simultaneous approval from the Nuclear Safety Commission for the operational change necessary for the continued operation of Kori Units 3 and 4. As a result, Unit 3 can operate until September 2034, while Unit 4 is authorized to run until August 2035.
Continued operation is a system that allows nuclear power plants to extend their operation after their initial licenses expire, provided they undergo safety evaluations and receive operational change approvals from regulatory agencies.
However, this approval does not immediately lead to a restart. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power must implement safety improvements identified during the review process and complete necessary equipment upgrades and maintenance. The company will also need to confirm safety through regular inspections by regulatory agencies before restarting operations.
Kori Units 3 and 4 each have a capacity of 950 megawatts and began commercial operations in September 1985 and April 1986, respectively. Their initial 40-year operating licenses expired in September 2024 and August 2025, leading to their current shutdown.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power submitted a safety evaluation report for continued operation in September 2022 and applied for operational change approval in November 2023, undergoing regulatory review since then. The company plans to enhance the safety and performance of the power plant through ongoing equipment improvements and safety management during the continued operation period.
Kim Hoe-cheon, CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, stated, "Continued operation will respond to the increasing power demand from advanced industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), support stable power supply, contribute to the national economy, and play a crucial role in carbon neutrality. We will ensure that safety is our top priority and do our utmost to safely restart Kori Units 3 and 4 by diligently carrying out follow-up procedures such as equipment improvements and regular inspections."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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