Nuclear Reactors

[Anchor Lead]

In the midst of controversy, authorities have given the green light to the construction of Shin KORI reactors 5 and 6. The project had so far been strongly opposed by anti-nuclear groups for safety reasons.

[Pkg]

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has approved the construction of reactors 5 and 6 of the Shin KORI nuclear power plant. The two reactors were built using domestic technologies and can produce 1,400 megawatts of electricity. They're designed to last 60 years. With the construction of the two Shin KORI reactors, Korea will have a total of 30 nuclear power reactors, including four that are still under construction.

[Soundbite] Shim Eun-jeong(Nuclear Safety and Security Commission) : "We held additional discussions regarding the safety and location of the reactors. We discussed in-depth the deconstruction plan and the safety of the power grid."

Anti-nuclear civic groups blasted the authorities' decision. The civic groups say that the area's safety will be jeopardized as it's already home to six operating nuclear power reactors.

[Soundbite] Yang Lee-wonyoung(Official, KFEM) : "It's a dangerous decision because it will be the first area in the world to house ten nuclear reactors. It's a political stunt aimed at protecting the nuclear power sector's profits."

The construction of reactors 5 and 6 is expected to cost around 8 billion U.S. dollars. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power plans to launch the construction right away and complete reactor number 5 by 2021 and reactor number 6 by 2022.