Korea detected cracks in nuclear power plants

Continuing to expand the inspection and maintenance of nuclear power plants, South Korea authorities said on November 9 that tiny cracks were detected in the tunnels that needed to control fuel rods.

>>>Korea closes 2 nuclear power plants for counterfeit components

The discovery of cracks inside the reactor took place just days after the two reactors of Yeonggwang nuclear power plant were forced to suspend to replace the equipment provided with fake quality certificates. impersonation.

Need to control fuel bar inside nuclear power furnace

Korea is currently investigating the reason why thousands of devices of nuclear reactors are provided with leak-proof devices using fake safety certificates. Authorities are expected to inspect all 23 nuclear facilities in a move that could challenge people's support for the industry and threaten billions of dollars in exports.

'Cracks have appeared in 6 tunnels. The reactors have been stopped since October 18 to check periodically and now the process will take another 47 days to overcome the cracks , 'said a spokesman for the Nuclear Safety Commission. and Korean security confirmed to the press. According to the official, this is the first time that these cracks have been detected in Korean nuclear reactors. However, the risk of insecurity is not serious.

The crack-affected reactor has a capacity of 1000 MW and a government official said the extension of the downtime will further affect the effort to maintain a stable supply of electricity over the period. winter peak. Previously two reactors were forced to pause until the end of the year.

'This may affect the power supply but we are preparing a countermeasure plan , ' a senior economic ministry leader told Reuters. Currently 23 South Korean nuclear power plants provide up to 30% of the country's electricity output. The Korean government has warned that the closure of factories will likely cause unprecedented power shortages in the coming months.