Doosan Enerbility has begun work to decommission Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, South Korea’s first commercial nuclear reactor, the company announced on November 4.
Doosan Enerbility said it signed a contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for the “dismantling of non‑controlled area internal and yard equipment at Kori Unit 1.” The signing ceremony was held at KHNP’s Radiation Health Center in Seoul and attended by KHNP Executive Vice President for Technology Cho Seok‑jin and Doosan Enerbility Nuclear BG President Kim Jong‑du, among other officials. The “non‑controlled area” refers to zones not designated as radiation controlled areas.
This project is the first dismantling work to proceed after final approval of the Kori‑1 decommissioning plan in June, marking a symbolic opening of South Korea’s domestic commercial reactor decommissioning program. Kori‑1 began commercial operation in 1978 and was permanently shut down in 2017; the project now moves into full‑scale demolition after roughly eight years.
Doosan Enerbility will serve as lead contractor of a consortium that includes HJ Heavy Industries and KEPCO KPS, with work scheduled through 2028. The initial phase focuses on dismantling secondary‑system equipment that does not involve radiation exposure—such as turbines and piping—carried out in sequence. Secondary systems refer to equipment related to turbines and generators that produce electricity by converting heat from the primary system into high‑pressure steam to drive turbines.
Kim Jong‑du, president of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear BG, said, “We are honored to lead the first phase of Korea’s inaugural commercial reactor decommissioning project. Drawing on decades of accumulated technology and experience, we will do our utmost to ensure successful execution.”
Doosan Enerbility said the contract will help strengthen its position in the growing global reactor decommissioning market. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the number of permanently shut‑down reactors worldwide is expected to rise from 214 today to 588 by 2050.
