South Korea restarts Kori-2 after 3 years, delays persist

· UPI

April 5 (Asia Today) -- South Korea restarted Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 after nearly three years offline, but delays in extending the lifespan of other reactors are raising concerns about the country's long-term energy strategy amid ongoing supply uncertainty.

According to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Kori-2 resumed operations Friday after completing a 35-month refurbishment tied to its extended operation approval. The reactor had been shut down in April 2023 after its 40-year operating license expired. It received approval to restart in November following a safety review submitted in 2022.

The restart comes as the government moves to boost nuclear output in response to energy supply risks linked to prolonged instability in the Middle East. Officials plan to bring five of 11 reactors currently under maintenance back online, aiming to raise the national nuclear utilization rate to about 80%.

Shin-Wolseong Unit 1 and Kori-2 have already resumed operations, while Hanul Unit 3, Hanbit Unit 6 and Wolseong Unit 3 are scheduled to restart in May.

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Despite these efforts, analysts say the policy amounts to a short-term fix. Key reactors - including Kori Units 3 and 4 and Wolseong Unit 2 - remain tied up in extended operation reviews, delaying their return to service.

Critics argue that relying more heavily on nuclear power cannot fully resolve structural energy challenges. Nuclear plants have limits in flexible output compared with liquefied natural gas power, which is often used to stabilize fluctuations in renewable energy supply.

Industry experts say a balanced energy mix - combining extended nuclear operations, stable LNG generation and expanded renewable energy - is needed to ensure long-term supply security.

Currently, nine reactors are under review for extended operation, including Kori Units 3 and 4, Hanbit Units 1 and 2 and Wolseong Units 2, 3 and 4. Kori Units 3 and 4 are still undergoing safety assessments and are unlikely to resume operations before the second half of the year, with final approval uncertain due to differing views among regulators.

Similar delays affect Wolseong Units 2, 3 and 4. Plans to apply for an operating license amendment for Unit 2 have been postponed amid unresolved economic feasibility concerns related to required upgrades.

A nuclear industry official said the current process places excessive financial burdens on operators.

"It is inefficient to invest heavily to meet updated safety standards only to operate a plant for another 10 years," the official said. "Once a thorough review is completed, the process should be streamlined for future cases."

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260405010001272