One in Four KHNP Nuclear Plant Bearings Found to Be Counterfeit

718 Counterfeit Parts Found at Four Nuclear Plants Nationwide: Lax Verification Exposed
Cho Incheol: "Inspection Loopholes... Full-Scale Investigation Needed for All Parts"

It has been revealed that 718 bearing parts delivered to four domestic nuclear power plants (Hanul, Hanbit, Saeul, and Kori) were counterfeit, raising growing distrust in Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's (KHNP) quality verification system.

According to audit data submitted by KHNP to Assemblyman Cho Incheol of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gwangju Seo-gu Gap) on October 16, a significant number of 'Q-grade' bearings, which are directly linked to nuclear safety, were found to be fake.

Nuclear power plant parts are strictly managed according to their impact on safety, with grades such as Q, A, and S. In particular, KHNP has elevated bearings to the highest Q-grade for management. However, despite this self-imposed stricter management, the actual inspection process for parts was limited to only formal procedures, such as checking dimensions or materials, drawing criticism for being merely superficial.

The result of this insufficient verification appeared as unexpected abnormal equipment temperatures. During the cause analysis, the existence of counterfeit bearings was confirmed. As one-quarter of the Q-grade bearings found at all nuclear power plants were revealed to be fake, this starkly exposes the lax quality control practices at KHNP.

Assemblyman Cho stated, "It is extremely fortunate that the use of counterfeit parts did not lead to a catastrophic accident and was limited to abnormal equipment temperatures," emphasizing, "Quality verification procedures, such as visual identification and performance testing, must be further strengthened."

He further pointed out, "The nuclear power plants where counterfeit parts were found are not just one or two, but four out of five across the country," adding, "A full-scale investigation is needed for all parts used in nuclear power plants, not just bearings."