Press Release
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- [January 31, 2024] NSSC Will Continue to Communicate With NPP Areas
NSSC Will Continue to Communicate With NPP Areas
The chairperson of the NSSC will continuously oversee areas where nuclear power plants are located.
- Held a meeting with the mayor and the city council of Gyeongju
- The NSSC visited the site to check whether the safety measures on tritium are appropriately implemented at the Wolsong NPP.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the “NSSC”) will keep up with the close communication in 2024 within the regions where nuclear facilities are located and monitor facility safety.
On the 31st, chairperson Yoo visited Gyeongju in Kyeongbuk to discuss regional nuclear safety, such as the tritium issue at Wolsong NPP, phase 2 of low-to mid-level radioactive waste disposal facility, etc., with Gyeongju mayor and the leader of the city council.
Moreover, the NSSC had a meeting with the heads of the Wolsong Nuclear Safety Council and others to hear opinions and interests from residents near nuclear facilities.
* The Nuclear Safety Council was first launched in 2015 to let residents participate and communicate on nuclear safety and upgraded to a legal body following the enforcement of the 「Nuclear Safety Information Disclosure and Communication Act」, in June 2022.
Then, the NSSC headed to the Wolsong NPP to check the field whether safety measures related to tritium are performed such as restroration work on the cut-off structures of spent fuel storage pool at the Wolsong Unit 1. “Please manage the safety thoroughly so that local residents feel at ease,” Chairperson Yoo said.
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- [January 25, 2024] 190th Meeting of Commission Was Held
190th Meeting of Commission Was Held
The NSSC held the 190th meeting of the commission
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the “NSSC”) hosted the 190th meeting of the commission on January 25th, 2024 (Thurs) to deliberate and resolve one agenda item and receive a report on another agenda item.
(DeliberationㆍResolution item 1) The commissioner passed the bill on 「partial modification of three NSSC Notices* including the application of industrial standards (Draft)」 to review and revise edition, appendices, restrictions, etc., in applying the relevant industrial standards based on the amendment of the US Code of Federal Regulations (June 2020) being referenced.
* 「Rules on Safety Grades and Sizes for Each Grade for Nuclear Facilities」, 「Regulations on In-service Inspection of Nuclear Facilities」, and 「Rules on In-service Inspection of Safety-related Pumps and Valves」
(Report item 1) The commissioners were briefed on a report on document conformance review results and assessment plans for the periodic safety review (PSR) submitted by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. to the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety regarding Hanbit Units 1 and 2. Additional reports on any further enhancements will be submitted in the future as a result of a discussion regarding the technical standards for the safety assessment.
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- [January 17, 2024] NSSC Approved Criticality of Hanbit Unit 2
NSSC Approved Criticality of Hanbit Unit 2
The NSSC approved the criticality of Hanbit Unit 2 during its periodic inspection.
- Final safety confirmation is achieved through follow-up tests such as a power-uprate test.
On January 17th, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the “NSSC”) allowed the criticality of the Hanbit Unit 2, which had been undergoing a periodic inspection since September 19th, 2023.
* Criticality means making nuclear fissions in the reactor occur continuously, resulting in a state where the generated neutrons are equal to the extinct neutrons and, therefore, the number of neutrons is in equilibrium.
The NSSC confirmed that the criticality of the nuclear reactor can be safely achieved as a result of inspecting 85 items, among a total of 94 items, to be performed before criticality during the periodic inspection.
During this periodic inspection, all seismic supports of traveling band screen backwash pumps (two pumps and two seismic supports, four in total) from the component cooling water system were fixed after the damages were found.
※ At the 172nd meeting of the commission held on February 23rd, 2023, it was reported that the use of anchor bolts does not conform with technical standards in the traveling band screens for seawater intakes of the reactor. The modification was a follow-up measurement confirmed and corrected during the extensive inspection.
A foreign substance (wire, 0.00095g) found during the internal inspection of steam generators was removed, and maintenance on a tube and others was performed since the tube exceeded its allowable standard (wear rate over 40%), confirmed as the result of a non-destructive inspection.
Moreover, the NSSC checked every design change with the modifications on the operating license and confirmed that all were installed as the NSSC permitted.
* Replace the 4.16kV class breaker and 480V motor control panel (item from the 155th meeting of the commission held in March 2022), and change the form of the steam supply valve (item from the 178th meeting of the commission held in June 2023).
The NSSC allowed the criticality of the Hanbit Unit 2 based on the result of periodic inspections so far. It will finally confirm its safety through follow-up tests (9 tests), such as a power-uprate test.
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- [January 17, 2024] 2024 NSSC Policy Highlights ③ Settle Safety Culture for Radiation-using Facilities Through Providing Face to Face Consulting
2024 NSSC Policy Highlights ③ Settle Safety Culture for Radiation-using Facilities By Providing Face to Face Consulting
Settle safety culture for radiation-using facilities by providing face-to-face consulting.
- Increase the number of radiation safety consulting from 50 to 100 to prevent serious accidents
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the “NSSC”) will enlarge and provide ‘customized consulting’ to settle down and strengthen the radiation safety culture for facilities using radiation.
Safety in preventing accidents is becoming even more critical as the number of facilities using radiation increases in various fields due to radiation technology developments.
* The number of radiation relevant facilities: 8719 (2019) → 9142 (2020) → 9547 (2021) → 9571 (2022) → 9961 (2023)
The NSSC has continuously led the project to enhance understanding of radiation safety and promote the importance of radiation safety culture. 700 million won-worth of budget** will be allocated this year.
**Budget: 400 million won (2021), 400 million won (2022), 600 million won (2023), 700 million won (2024)
In particular, this year, the NSSC will invest 200 million won, 100 million won increase compared to last year, to provide safety consulting based on 「Serious Accidents Punishment Act」 and visit 100 small workplaces among radiation-using facilities to increase the severe accident preventive capacities.
Additionally, customized radiation safety consulting for each workplace will be provided by visiting 150 radiation worksites, starting with new companies and facilities with new safety managers.
Moreover, the NSSC plans to hold another forum for radiation safety managers following last year and award an NSSC chairperson’s commendation after selecting excellent agencies for radiation management. It is to share regulatory policies and swiftly develop a voluntary safety culture by communicating with radiation industries.
The NSSC will put the utmost effort into gaining more acceptance of regulations from radiation-relevant facilities while supporting radiation safety culture to take root and foster through active communication with radiation industries and practical assistance needed in implementing regulatory policies.
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- [January 16, 2024] NSSC Approved Criticality of Hanul Unit 1 During Periodic Inspection
NSSC Approved Criticality of Hanul Unit 1 During Periodic Inspection
Hanul Unit 1 received approval on its criticality during the periodic inspection.
- Replaced the reactor vessel head and the whole number of uncertified anchor bolts while removing foreign substances from the steam generator
- Safety was finally confirmed through follow-up tests, including a power-uprate test
On January 16th, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the “NSSC”) allowed the criticality of the Hanul Unit 1 after periodic inspections since September 30th, 2023.
* Criticality means making nuclear fissions in the reactor occur continuously, resulting in a state where the generated neutrons are equal to the extinct neutrons. Therefore, the number of neutrons is in equilibrium.
The NSSC confirmed that the criticality of the nuclear reactor can be safely achieved as a result of inspecting 81 items, among a total of 91 items, to be performed before criticality during the periodic inspection.
During this periodic inspection, the reactor vessel head was changed to the one stronger to stress corrosion cracking, and it was checked that this replacement corresponds to the technical standards through pressure tests and other tests.
In addition, the 12 uncertified anchor bolts installed in the component cooling water system were all replaced to achieve its integrity by reflecting design-based earthquake conditions.
* It was the follow-up measures made at the 172nd meeting of the commission in February 2023. Anchor bolts, which tie pressure transmitters, etc., had to be changed because it was difficult to check their certifications.
Likewise, the integrity of steam generators was examined, and two foreign substances (up to 25.3mm) were found and removed. No abnormalities were found during the inspection of the adjacent tubes.
The NSSC allowed the criticality of the Hanul Unit 1 based on the result of periodic inspections so far. It will finally confirm its safety through follow-up tests (10 tests), such as a power-uprate test.
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- [January 11, 2024] 189th Meeting of Commission Was Held
189th Meeting of Commission Was Held
189th Meeting of the Commission Was Held
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (Chairperson Yoo Gukhee, hereinafter referred to as the “NSSC”) held the 189th meeting of the commission on January 11th, 2024, deliberating and resolving two agenda items.
For the first item on the agenda for deliberation and resolution, the NSSC passed the bill on 「Plan on Nuclear Safety Research and Development Project for 2024」 with the content of investing 40 billion and 265 million won to secure technological capabilities for safety regulation and regulatory technologies for current issues.
For the Second item on the agenda for deliberation and resolution, the NSSC passed the bill on the the「 Modification of the Operating License on Nuclear Relevant Facilities」 which lengthens the cycle of the integrated leakage rate test on containment buildings at Shinkori Units 1 and 2 from 5 years to 10 years.
- Message from the Chairperson
- Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee
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