[Interview] 'This Company' Gaining Momentum from Nuclear Phase-Out Reversal... "Hiring Hundreds of New Employees"

Kim Jong-du, Vice President of Doosan Enerbility, Awarded Industrial Medal on 'Nuclear Energy Day'
Recognized for Contributions to Localization of Korean APR1400 Nuclear Power Plant

Doosan Enerbility plans to continue hiring over a hundred new employees next year, following this year’s recruitment.

On the 28th, Kim Jong-du, Vice President of Doosan Enerbility, met with reporters immediately after the ‘13th Nuclear Safety and Promotion Day’ ceremony and said, "This year, for the first time since the abandonment of the nuclear phase-out policy, we hired over a hundred new employees," adding, "If new nuclear power plants are included in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand next year, large-scale recruitment at this year’s level will be necessary."

The decision by Doosan Enerbility to conduct large-scale recruitment with triple-digit numbers for two consecutive years is largely influenced by the current government’s policy to abandon the nuclear phase-out. The government has granted final approval to operate Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, marking nine years since the operation license application in 2014. Shin Hanul Unit 2 is regarded as a symbol of restoring the nuclear ecosystem, moving away from the previous administration’s nuclear phase-out stance.

Vice President Kim evaluated the recent atmosphere, saying, "The stagnant nuclear industry is gradually improving thanks to government support and nuclear power exports." Regarding the status of domestic nuclear power partners who faced bankruptcy risks under the nuclear phase-out policy, he said, "Although there are still some difficulties, the atmosphere has improved compared to before, and vitality is beginning to return."

At the '13th Nuclear Safety and Promotion Day' ceremony held on the 28th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim Jong-du, Vice President of Doosan Enerbility, received the Industrial Medal and posed for a commemorative photo. Vice President Kim was recognized for his contributions to the localization of the Korean APR1400 nuclear power plant.
[Photo by Choi Seoyoon]

Vice President Kim also announced that the high-level radioactive waste business will officially start next year. He said, "We are preparing for commercialization together with our partners," and added, "We have developed technologies capable of handling large waste." He further explained, "We plan to focus on commercializing the dismantling and disassembly of spent steam generators and reactors stored at power plants by leveraging the fact that we are the only company in Korea manufacturing main nuclear power plant equipment."

Currently, three special bills concerning the management of high-level radioactive waste are pending in the National Assembly. Establishing a special law on high-level radioactive waste is also a key policy task of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The ruling and opposition parties are operating a ‘2+2 consultative body’ to discuss the enactment and revision of laws including the special law on high-level radioactive waste. However, the special law did not pass the plenary session of the National Assembly held that day and was postponed to the last plenary session of the temporary National Assembly on January 9 next year. He expressed hope that "the special law on high-level radioactive waste will be passed promptly."

He also mentioned the necessity of new nuclear power plants. Vice President Kim said, "If large nuclear power plants and SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) are included in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, the industrial ecosystem will regain vitality much faster." Earlier, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the 29th Energy Committee in July this year and announced its intention to promote the construction of new nuclear power plants.

Vice President Kim received the Industrial Medal at the ceremony that day. He was recognized for his contributions to the localization of the Korean APR1400 nuclear power plant by securing technology for reactor coolant pumps and nuclear power plant instrumentation and control systems as the overall project manager for Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2.