South Korea's nuclear watchdog officially approved the operation of the Saeul-3 reactor on December 30. The reactor's commercial launch is set for next year, with construction having begun in 2016. Saeul-3 is the first South Korean reactor designed to withstand aircraft attacks.
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission approved the operation of the Saeul-3 reactor on Tuesday, December 30. The decision came about two weeks after the commission delayed its final ruling in an initial meeting. The Saeul-3 is a homegrown APR1400 reactor located at the Saeul Nuclear Power Site in the southeastern port city of Ulsan, with construction starting in 2016.
Following the approval, the unit will undergo a six-month pilot run. It marks the first South Korean nuclear reactor designed to withstand aircraft attacks, featuring walls 137 centimeters thick—15 centimeters thicker than those of previous models. The reactor also has a spent nuclear fuel storage capacity of up to 60 years, enough to hold all waste generated over its design life.
Previously known as Kori-5, it was renamed Saeul-3 in 2022. This approval symbolizes advancements in South Korea's nuclear technology and underscores enhanced safety measures. Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2026.
