Construction of the Nos. 3 and 4 Shin-Hanul nuclear reactors in Uljin-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, has received approval. Shown is an artist's conception of the two forthcoming plants. (Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co.)

By Lee Jihae

Construction of the Nos. 3 and 4 Shin-Hanul nuclear reactors in Uljin-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, has received the green light.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSCC) on Sept. 12 in a meeting said it approved the bid of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) to build the two plants.

KHNP will immediately launch basic excavation and complete the No. 3 facility by 2032 and No. 4 by 2033.

The two will be the nation's seventh and eighth 1.4 million kilowatt-grade advanced power reactors.

The NSCC verified the safety of both plants based on safety reviews of reactors in operation and inspections focusing on design differences between previous plants due to application of the latest technical standards.

No geological threats such as earthquakes or sinkholes were found. The NSCC concluded the site as safe as the highest possible sea level due to an earthquake or a tsunami was lower than the site's height.

Comprising 15 earthquake-related experts, the NSCC said its six-month preliminary review produced appropriate results.

KHNP in 2016 applied for approval to build the reactors, but the project was suspended in 2017 after the government ceased construction. Work was resumed in July 2022 due to a shift in energy policy.

President Yoon Suk Yeol will fly to the Czech Republic on Sept. 19 to discuss bilateral cooperation in nuclear power. KHNP was designated a preferred negotiating partner to build a nuclear power plant in the Eastern European nation.

jihlee08@korea.kr