South Korea brings old reactor back online
South Korea has restarted one of its oldest nuclear reactors, the Gori-2 unit in Busan, following a three-year shutdown for extensive safety upgrades. The reactor, first commissioned in 1983, was halted in 2023 when its 40-year operating license expired. After completing mandatory safety inspections and facility improvements under current regulatory standards, authorities granted approval late last year for the reactor to return to service.
South Korea brought one of its most aged nuclear reactors back online on Saturday, following a lengthy shutdown that lasted nearly three years for major safety renovations. The Gori-2 reactor, located at the Gori Nuclear Power Plant in the southeastern coastal city of Busan, resumed operations after receiving regulatory approval, according to local media reports citing state-run operator Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.
The reactor first began generating electricity in 1983 as South Korea's third nuclear unit and played a foundational role in the country's early expansion of atomic energy. However, operations came to a halt in 2023 when its 40-year license expired, triggering a mandatory comprehensive review process that included rigorous safety inspections and facility upgrades required under current regulatory standards.
Regulators greenlight return to service
Regulatory authorities granted approval for the restart late last year, allowing the aging reactor to reconnect to the national grid after meeting all updated safety requirements. The three-year offline period allowed engineers to carry out extensive refurbishment work designed to extend the reactor's operational life while ensuring compliance with modern safety protocols.
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Nuclear power remains key to South Korea's energy mix
The restart of Gori-2 reflects South Korea's ongoing effort to balance energy security concerns with nuclear safety considerations. Atomic power remains a major component of the country's electricity supply, helping to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. The decision to refurbish and restart an aging reactor rather than decommission it underscores Seoul's commitment to maintaining a stable and diverse energy portfolio amid global supply uncertainties.
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