{
  "id": 16835252,
  "title": "KHNP Secures Continued Operation Approval for Kori Units 3 and 4, Targets Restart in First Half of 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/khnp-secures-continued-operation-approval-for-kori-units-3-and-4",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-28T02:50:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Korea IT Times",
    "slug": "korea-it-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=158611"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has been granted regulatory approval to extend the operational lifespan of Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4. This decision enables the reactors to be restarted sequentially in the first half of 2027, following upgrades, maintenance, and safety inspections. KHNP CEO Kim Hoe-cheon revealed the approval on October 27, stating that the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) had granted the necessary operational changes.\n\nUnits 3 and 4 of the Kori Nuclear Power Plant, each with a power output of 1,025 MWe, were initially scheduled to operate for 40 years but their licenses expired in September 2024 and August 2025 respectively. Consequently, their operations were halted. However, under South Korea's nuclear regulatory framework, reactors can continue operating beyond their initial license period if they pass a comprehensive safety review. KHNP submitted its safety assessment report in September 2022 and applied for the approval in November 2023.\n\nFollowing the approval, KHNP intends to conduct the required safety upgrades and maintenance work. Subsequently, regulatory inspections will be carried out to confirm the reactors' readiness for restart. KHNP aims to bring the two units back online in the first half of 2027, albeit sequentially. While this continued operation of existing nuclear facilities will aid in maintaining South Korea's electricity supply capacity without necessitating the immediate replacement of the reactors, the actual restart schedule hinges on the completion of outstanding work and the results of regulatory inspections.\n\nKim Hoe-cheon, KHNP's president and CEO, noted that the continued operation of Units 3 and 4 would help address the growing electricity demand from advanced industries like semiconductors and AI. Nuclear power also plays a crucial role in supporting South Korea's carbon-neutrality objectives by providing electricity with relatively low lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-fuel-based generation. The extent of the two reactors' contribution will depend on their performance and generation levels after restart.",
  "summary": "Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has secured regulatory approval to extend the operating life of Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4, paving the way for their planned sequential restart in the first half of 2027 following equipment upgrades, maintenance and safety inspections.KHNP, headed by CEO Kim Hoe-cheon, announced on October 27 that the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) had…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) granted approval to extend Kori Units 3 and 4 operation.",
    "Units 3 and 4, each 1,025 MWe, had licenses expire in 2024 and 2025.",
    "Restart planned for first half of 2027 after upgrades and inspections."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Extending the lifespan of these reactors allows South Korea to meet rising industrial electricity demands and support carbon-neutrality goals without the immediate need for new power plant construction.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}