The Korea's first commercial nuclear power plant, Gori Unit 1, will enter the dismantling process on the 26th after receiving final approval for its dismantling plan from the Nuclear Safety And Security Commission. This marks the start of the dismantling project 10 years after the decision to permanently suspend operations in 2015.

The Nuclear Safety And Security Commission noted during its 216th meeting on this day that it has reviewed and approved the dismantling plan submitted by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (CEO Hwang Joo-ho, hereinafter referred to as KHNP) and determined that the legal and technical requirements have been met.

View of Gori Unit 1 /Courtesy of KHNP

Gori Unit 1, which began commercial operation in 1978, is the country's first nuclear power plant and was permanently shut down in June 2017 after 40 years of operation. It received approval this day after going through the process of establishing a dismantling plan and technical review and supplementation by regulatory agencies.

KHNP plans to dismantle Gori Unit 1 step by step over 12 years and restore the site following this approval. The dismantling project will proceed in the order of 'preparation for dismantling → removal of major equipment → management of radioactive waste and site restoration.'

KHNP plans to sequentially begin dismantling equipment in the turbine building starting next month, with a goal to remove spent nuclear fuel by 2031 and complete dismantling after dealing with radioactive systems by 2037.

In particular, KHNP's policy is to prioritize radiation safety management, environmental protection, and communication with the local community during this process.

Hwang Joo-ho, CEO of KHNP, said, 'The dismantling of Gori Unit 1 will be a turning point that goes beyond mere equipment removal, contributing to the internalization of domestic dismantling technology, the development of professionals, and the creation of an industrial ecosystem.' He added, 'We will transparently disclose the project process to the public and carry out the dismantling project based on trust with the local community.'

This dismantling project is viewed as an important turning point in Korea's leap towards becoming a country with a full-cycle nuclear power management system and is expected to serve as a testbed for entering the global dismantling market.