The renewal of the operating license of the 32-year-old nuclear reactor comes amidst strong opposition from local residents and environmental groups, who are concerned about the safety aspect following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan in 2011, reported Yonhap News Agency.
The state power operator Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power is planning to resume the operations of the 679MW nuclear reactor in April 2015. The reactor was closed in 2012 after its completion of 30-year operational life, reported Reuters.
The operational life of the reactors has been extended to 2022.
KHNP said: "Considering the current energy situation, efforts needed for building a new nuclear reactor, as well as related construction and environmental costs, (South Korea) needs to utilize current atomic facilities as much as possible."
Following completion of inspections in October 2014, the state-run Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety concluded that the South Korea’s second-oldest reactor can be operated for a further 10 years.
However, the approval decision was delayed by NSSC due to the increasing concerns over the reactor’s safety after the Fukushima disaster.
Currently, South Korea operates 23 nuclear reactors, which currently cater to approximately 30% of the total electricity requirement.
