KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) has officially launched decommissioning work at Kori Unit 1, beginning with equipment in non‑controlled (non‑radiological) areas, the company announced.
On November 4, KHNP signed a contract with a consortium led by Doosan Enerbility—together with HJ Heavy Industries and KEPCO KPS—to carry out dismantling work for non‑controlled area facilities at Kori‑1. The contract is worth approximately KRW 18.4 billion (including VAT), and the project is scheduled to take about 30 months.
Kori‑1, Korea’s first commercial nuclear power plant, began commercial operation in 1978 and served as a backbone of power supply for more than four decades. It was permanently shut down in June 2017 and received final decommissioning approval from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in June of this year.
Work is set to begin in mid‑November, starting with removal of asbestos and insulation materials from buildings in non‑controlled areas, followed by sequential dismantling of major equipment within the turbine building.
KHNP plans to complete dismantling of non‑controlled areas first, remove spent nuclear fuel by 2031, then proceed to decommission controlled (radiological) zones, with the full decommissioning scheduled for completion by 2037.
The company said the project will help establish domestic self‑reliance in nuclear decommissioning technology, foster specialized workforce development, and support the creation of a related industrial ecosystem. KHNP also views the program as a stepping stone for future entry into the global nuclear decommissioning market.
“We will carry out the Kori‑1 decommissioning safely and transparently to create a decommissioning model that the public can trust,” said Cho Seok‑jin, KHNP Vice President of Technology. “As we proceed through phased dismantling beginning with non‑controlled areas, we will actively hire local workers and contribute to regional economic revitalization.”
