Location: Kori, Chang’an-ŭp, Kijang-kun, Pusan, South Korea

Address: 216 Kori, Chang’an-ŭp, Kijang-kun, Pusan 619-711, South Korea

Telephone Number: +82-51-726-2114

Subordinate to: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (한국수력원자력주)

Size: 950MW(e) Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Primary Function: Production of electricity

Description: Kori-4 is South Korea’s sixth nuclear power reactor. Construction of the Kori-4 nuclear power reactor began in 1979 and the reactor started commercial operation in April 1986. Kori-4 is a three-loop pressurized light water reactor and is similar in design to the Yŏnggwang-1 and -2 reactors. Kori-4 was constructed under the second phase of South Korea’s nuclear power program called “the component approach,” in which foreign firms were contracted for the design and provision of main components while domestic firms were subcontracted for auxiliary components. In addition, to increase self-sufficiency in nuclear power plant construction and technology, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) expanded its participation by leading the overall construction project with assistance from foreign firms and allowing Korean firms to manage site construction. Construction of Kori-4 was done by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Construction (Hanjung) while Westinghouse Electric Corporation provided the reactor, and General Electric Company provided the steam generator. In 1992, Kori-4 moved from a 12-month to a 15-month fuel cycle then in 1993 it became the first South Korean nuclear power plant to extend its fuel cycle to 18 months. In April 1993, Kori-4 was temporarily shut down for five days due to a breakdown of the main steam line.

Key sources: Ministry of Science and Technology, <http://www.most.go.kr>; Ministry of Science and Technology, Wŏnjaryŏk Anjŏnbaeksŏ (Seoul: MOST, 2003); Mark Hibbs, “All But Two Oldest Korean PWRs to be on 18-Month Cycles by 2007,” Nuclear Fuel, 10 December 2001, p. 4, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; “Kori Nuclear Power Plant: Korea’s First PWR Site,” Nuclear News, November 1992, p. 45, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; “Koriwŏnjŏn 4 Hogi Ddogojang Panjŏnjŏngji,” Donga Ilbo, 24 April 1993, p. 11, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; O T'ae Jin, “Kori Wŏnjŏn Kojang/'Kyŏngmihan Sago...Tassedwi Kadong,” Chosun Ilbo, 23 April 1993, p. 11, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>.