{
  "id": 16709962,
  "title": "Nuclear watchdog set to decide on 10-year lifespan extension for Kori units 3, 4",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/nuclear-watchdog-set-to-decide-on-10-year-lifespan-extension-for-kori",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T05:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20261027/nuclear-watchdog-set-to-decide-on-10-year-lifespan-extension-for-kori-units-3-4"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is set to determine on Tuesday whether to grant a 10-year extension to the operational life of two nuclear reactors, Kori units 3 and 4. These reactors, each with a 950-megawatt capacity, have surpassed their initially designed 40-year lifespan. Reactor Kori-3 was halted on September 28, 2024, while Kori-4's operational lifespan concluded on August 6, 2025.\n\nThese reactors are part of a larger group of nine aging plants that are in the process of seeking extensions to their operational lifetimes. The Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, the state-run power operator, has already granted a 10-year lifespan extension for Kori-2 last year. This decision follows the commission's approval of an accident management program for the reactors earlier this month. The program outlines strategies for maintaining safe conditions, preventing accidents, and mitigating any potential fallout in the event of an incident.",
  "summary": "The country's nuclear watchdog was set to decide Tuesday whether to extend the lifespan of two nuclear reactors by an additional 10 years. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) plans to hold a meeting to review a request to restart and operate two 950-megawatt capacity pressurized water reactors — Kori units 3 and 4 — that have reached beyond the 40-year designed lifecycle. The Kori-3…",
  "key_points": [
    "Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to decide on 10-year extension for Kori units 3 and 4.",
    "Kori units 3 and 4, each with 950-megawatt capacity, exceeded 40-year lifespan.",
    "Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power granted 10-year extension for Kori-2 last year."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Approving these extensions signals a shift toward utilizing aging infrastructure to maintain power capacity as more of the nation's nine reactors approach the end of their original design lives.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Nuclear watchdog set to decide on 10-yr lifespan extension for Kori units 3, 4",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/nuclear-watchdog-set-to-decide-on-10-yr-lifespan-extension-for-kori",
        "published": "2026-10-27T04:47:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}