As the country's first commercial nuclear power plant, the Kori-1 reactor in the southeastern city of Busan was permanently closed in June 2017 after some 40 years of service from 1978.
The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. is now awaiting an approval by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission for its dismantlement.
"The successful dismantlement of a power plant carries significance in the nuclear industry ecosystem. We are expected to get down to the dismantlement process for the Kori 1 reactor next week, which will be a chance to boost the competitiveness of the industry," a ministry official said.
This file photo, provided by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. on Oct. 29, 2019, shows the now-retired Kori-1 nuclear reactor located in the southeastern port city of Busan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
