[2025 Audit] Nuclear Safety and Security Commission: "26 Operating Nuclear Plants to Establish Climate Change Plans"

Choi Wonho, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, is taking an oath at the 2025 National Audit held on October 16 at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee. 2025.10.16 Yonhap News

Choi Wonho, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, stated at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee audit held on October 16, "We will thoroughly verify and inspect safety throughout the entire process of design, construction, operation, continued operation, and decommissioning to ensure safety at all domestic nuclear power plants." He added, "The continued operation of Kori Unit 2 is currently under review by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission."

Chairman Choi explained, "The safety of all 26 operating nuclear power plants is being verified through regular inspections and other measures, and we are ensuring that operators establish proactive plans to address climate change and external threats, while also monitoring the implementation of these plans."

He continued, "We are working to ensure that the accident management plans for the four new nuclear power plants approved earlier this year take root at the sites." He also noted, "During the joint Hanul nuclear emergency drill conducted in September, we verified and inspected the functions of the regional on-site command center for the first time in a joint exercise."

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission also announced that it will enhance radiation safety management for airline crew members and radiation workers by improving exposure management measures and strengthening education for radiation safety managers.

Chairman Choi stated, "We will thoroughly prepare the regulatory framework for future reactors, including the development of the Korean small modular reactor (SMR)." He added, "We will establish a regulatory foundation to verify the safety of the standard design approval for the innovative small modular reactor (i-SMR), for which an application is imminent." He further mentioned, "We will also build a robust regulatory system to prepare for the development of various non-light water reactors that do not use water as a coolant."

Chairman Choi said, "We will steadily produce results in line with the mid- to long-term business strategy for nuclear safety research and development established to meet future regulatory demands, and we will gradually improve the necessary regulatory systems in accordance with the recently enacted Special Act on High-Level Radioactive Waste."

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission also announced that it will establish optimal operational plans to implement continuous inspections, which allow for the inspection of nuclear plant safety during operation, at all nuclear power plants starting in 2027.