Hacking of Korea's nuclear operator raises risk of aging reactor closures
Source: Reuters
The hacking of South Korea's nuclear operator means the country's second-oldest reactor may be shut permanently due to safety concerns, said several nuclear watchdog commissioners, raising the risk that other aging reactors may also be closed.
"The operator failed to prevent it (the hack) and they don't know how much data has been leaked. If the old reactor is still allowed to continue to run, it will just hike risks," said Kim Hye-jung, one of the nine commissioners who will this month review an application to restart the Wolsong No.1 reactor.
The future of Wolsong No.1, shut in 2012 after reaching its 30-year lifespan, is seen as critical to the fate of other reactors, including the oldest Kori No.1 which had its lifespan extended by 10 years to 2017. Nuclear power accounts for about a third of South Korea's electricity supply.
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Five of nine commissioners contacted by Reuters said they held doubts over the viability of Wolsong No.1. "The reactor has completed its designed lifespan. Even if modified, still it is not safe," said commissioner Kim Ik-jung.
If five vote against a restart, the reactor will be shut permanently. The other commissioners were not reachable or declined to comment.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/12/us-southkorea-nuclear-reactor-idUSKBN0KL0F420150112
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