Nuclear Reactors

Since the proclamation of Atomic Energy Act in February 1958, Korea has developed a nuclear program for a stable supply of power. The initiative was an attempt to secure a peaceful use of atomic energy and to contribute to the advanced well-being for our people. Since the first commercial operation of Gori No.1 in April 1978, Korea has continuously built atomic power plants to secure a suitable supply of power.

Currently, Korea has 20 plants (for a capacity of 17.716 million kW) in operation and 4 plants are under construction, ranked at the 6th position worldwide following U.S., France, Japan, Russia and Germany.

Atomic energy has become the driving force behind the national industrial growth that has met the drastically increasing demands for electricity.

A total of 130.6 billion KWh of domestic atomic energy produced in 2004 represents 38.2% of the total power produced nationwide. Such an amount corresponds to the power consumption of Seoul for a 3.5-year period and of all the households for a 3-year period.

When replacing the other fossil fuels with the nuclear energy in 2004, we could save 47.32 million tons of coal, (1.602 trillion won worth), 193.19 million barrels of heavy oil, and 20.06 million tons of LNG (8.331 trillion won worth), which otherwise would have been imported. In addition, it induced a considerable reduction in carbon dioxide emissions representing 33.76 million tons of coal, 25.45 million tons of heavy oil, and 20.06 million tons of LNG.

Currently, Korea has 16 operational PWRs (Pressurized Water Reactor) and 4 operational PHWRs (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor). Uljin No. 6, the Korean standard nuclear reactor started its commercial operation in late April 2005.

Shingori No. 1 and No. 2 and Shinwolseong No. 1 and No. 2 the reformed Korean standard nuclear reactor began its construction

Korea Nuclear Fuel

KNFC has manufactured and supplied nuclear fuel for all domestic PWRs and PHWRs. Since the first delivery to PWR fuel in 1989, KNFC is now supplying nuclear fuel for all PWRs and PHWRs under operation Korea. About 40% of total electricity generation in the country is produced using nuclear fuel supplied by us.

As of the end of 2005, about 3,830ton-U of PWR fuel and 2,892ton-U of CANDU fuel were supplied by KNFC.

Nuclear safety regulation

The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety(KINS) was founded through a special legislation by the National Assembly in 1990 with a specific mission to develop and carry out nuclear safety regulation. The ultimate goal of nuclear safety regulation is to protect the public health, safety, and the environment from the radiation hazards that might be accompanied with the production and utilization of nuclear energy. KINS is entrusted as a technical expert organization by the Ministry of Science and Technology(MOST), the regulatory authority, to perform various regulatory activities such as safety reviews and inspections, development of regulatory standards, and to monitor the environmental radiations across the Korean peninsula, etc.

Designs nuclear power plants

KOPEC is the best engineering service company in Korea. It designs nuclear power plants and fossil power plants as an Architect Engineer. It performs technical central role in the power industry by producing all the necessary information on engineering, procurement, construction management and start-up.

Research institute

Founded in 1959, KAERI, as the sole national nuclear R&D research institution, has greatly contributed to strengthening the competitive edge of the nation's science and technology by achieving technological self-reliance in nuclear technology and expanding its research activities to other related areas.

The Korea hydro & nuclear power labor union

The Korea hydro & nuclear power labor union is comprised of workers in the hydro & nuclear power Industry. Seperated from The Korean National Electrical Workers Union in 2001. It was formed in 2001.

It’s declaration to become a brilliant creator of labor movement according to its main spirit by ruling out immorality and injustice and striving after social justice, closely banded together for labor’s rise to a higher position an protection of interests on a mission of democratic labor unions.

HISTORY IN BRIEF

Non.24, 1946 Seoul Electrical Workers Union(Kyungsung Union) established
Feb.12, 1949 Korea Electrical Workers Union(Chosun Union) established
Feb.25, 1955 South Korea Electrical Workers Union(Namjun Union) established
Aug.22, 1961 Founding convention of the Korea Electrical Power Workers Union
Mar.31, 1962 The name was changed "The Korean National Electrical Workers Union"
Jan.12, 1966 Shi-ja Kim Chairwoman of Hanil Hospital district office, burnt herself in protest against the punishment on union leaders and the demonstration of the union
May.29, 2001 Seperated from The Korean National Electrical Workers Union Jul. 3, 2001 Byeong Kee-KIM was elected the first president
Aug. 8, 2001 The Korea hydro & nuclear power labor union established
Aug. 8, 2001 Reported establishment of a union(Report No.4)
- 7 District Offices, 31Branch Offices, 4,300 Members
Mar. 3, 2004 Tae Man-JO was elected the second president

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