Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) said it will put safety first and do its best for timely restart following the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission's approval for continued operation of the Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2.
KHNP said, "(The commission's approval) is significant in that it confirms sufficient safety has been secured for Kori Unit 2 to continue operating," and stated accordingly.
With this approval for continued operation, Kori Unit 2 will operate until April 8, 2033. After completing ongoing facility upgrades and confirming safety, the target is to restart in February 2026.
KHNP has submitted to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission safety assessment reports for continued operation of 10 reactors, including Kori Unit 2, whose operating licenses expire before 2030, and they are under review.
Regarding this, it also said, "The approval of continued operation for Kori Unit 2, the first of the 10 reactors to continue operating, is assessed as having considerable significance not only for KHNP but also in terms of national energy and industrial policy."
Acting KHNP President Jeon Dae-uk said, "Continued operation will contribute to the national economy as a stable energy source to meet future power demand growth from AI and data centers, and it will play an important role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050."