Busan:The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for improvements in the operational safety of the Shin-Kori No. 2 nuclear reactor in Busan, South Korea. These improvements pertain to industrial safety, operational procedures, and radiation contamination control, as stated by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the recommendations emerged from an operational safety review conducted by the IAEA's Operational Safety Review Team (OSART). The review took place from October 26 to the following Thursday, at the behest of the South Korean government. The IAEA suggested that the plant enhance its industrial safety measures, refine the control of operational activities, and reinforce methods to prevent the spread of radioactive contamination.
The IAEA emphasized the critical role of accurately transferring and utilizing operational information to maintain effective operations. Despite these recommendations, the agency acknowledged the professionalism and strong commitment of the plant's personnel towards enhancing operational safety and reliability.
The OSART team also noted several commendable practices at the plant, such as a virtual training system for operators, an improved method for processing radioactive waste, and an integrated disaster monitoring system for real-time hazard warnings. Juraj Rovny, the OSART leader, highlighted South Korea's longstanding engagement with international peer review and its dedication to continuous operational safety improvement.
Song Chang-Soo, director general of Kori Nuclear Power Plant, stated that the mission's findings would bolster the plant's safety culture and ongoing commitment to operational safety and reliability. Shin-Kori No. 2, a 1,000-megawatt reactor that began operations in 2012, is managed by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. The IAEA mentioned that the plant's management received a draft report and could submit factual comments before the final report is presented to South Korea within three months.
Source Yonhap News Agency