South Korea’s 25th Nuclear Reactor Singori 3 In Ulsan Is Getting Ready For Official Launch And Operation

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) reportedly announced its operational approval to the 25th nuclear reactor of South Korea on October 29. Reuters reported on the same day that the approval was confirmed after South Korea's nuclear watchdog released a statement.

Reports have revealed that 24 nuclear reactors supply about one third of South Korea's electricity. In addition, the country plans to add more nuclear reactors aiming to run 36 nuclear reactors by 2029.

A couple of weeks after the pronouncement of the operational approval, the nuclear operator, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd (KHNP) revealed that the new nuclear reactor called Singori 3 is preparing for its official launch and operation.

Korea Joongang Daily forecasted Nov. 5 that new nuclear reactor will be located in Ulsan. Aside from that, reports have revealed that Singori 3 is akin to the nuclear reactor exported by South Korea to the United Arab Emirates back in 2009.

KHNP began the process of fuel loading following the operational approval after passing the safety tests by NSSC.

South Korea's 25th nuclear reactor is slated to officially operate commercially in May 2016. Also, the fuel loading process is forecasted to be finished after a few weeks.

After it is completed, Singori 3 will undertake test operation for seven months before its official commercial operation.

"We hope to gain public trust about the safety of nuclear power by undergoing tough test-operations," the KHNP said in a dispatch.

In 2013, Singori 3 nuclear reactor was involved in a controversy for allegedly using nuclear parts produced by dealers with fake quality certifications, which is why the KHNP highlighted the issue of safety to win back the trust of South Koreans.

The construction of the new nuclear reactor took them a decade after they had to replace all the fake nuclear parts that were used in the reactor. Also, they have incorporated in the construction the 29 safety functions obliged by the NSSC.

The nuclear operator is bullish to rebuild the trust of South Koreans regarding the feature of the APR1400 model by launching Singori 3 nuclear reactor safely.