Location: Nari, Yangnam-myŏn, Kyŏngju, North Kyŏngsang Province, South Korea

Address: 260 Nari, Yangnam-myŏn, Kyŏngju, North Kyŏngsang Province, 780-715, South Korea
  
Telephone Number: +82-54-779-2114

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

Size:  679MW(e) pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)

Primary Function: Production of electricity

Description: Wŏlsŏng-1 is South Korea’s first of four CANDU pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR) and third nuclear power reactor to be constructed. CANDU reactors are designed by Atomic Energy of Canada, Limited (AECL) and the reactor components are designed by various Canadian companies. CANDU reactors use heavy water as both a moderator and coolant, and natural uranium for fuel. The Wŏlsŏng reactors are CANDU-6 designs with a power output in the 700MW(e) range, which is the most common design sold abroad by AECL. 

Wŏlsŏng-1 was constructed under the first phase of South Korea’s nuclear power program on a turnkey basis. Canada supplied most of the technology and equipment for the construction of Wŏlsŏng-1 by providing the reactor, construction services, architecture and design while the UK firm NEI Parsons provided the steam and turbine generators. Construction for Wŏlsŏng-1 began in 1975 and it began commercial operation in April 1983. 
 
Wŏlsŏng-1 experienced several incidents in which the reactor leaked heavy water. The first incident was in 1984 when 23 tons of heavy water leaked and another in 1988 caused by a pinhole puncture in a monitoring line that forced the reactor to be shut down for three days. In addition, 20 litters of cooling water leaked in May 2000 exposing several technicians to radiation. In November 2003, officials from the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company (KHNP) announced plans to replace the pressure and feeder tubes in Wŏlsŏng-1 and upgrade safety features. Wŏlsŏng-1 was expected to be decommissioned in 2013 when its license expires, but Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) officials plan to extend its life by another ten years. 

Key sources: Ministry of Science and Technology, <http://www.most.go.kr>; Ministry of Science and Technology, Wŏnjaryŏk Anjŏnbaeksŏ (Seoul: MOST, 2003); Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP),“Han’guk Suryŏg’wŏnjaryŏk (Chu) Wŏlsŏng’wŏnjaryŏk Ponbu,” <http://www.khnp.co.kr/wolsong/sub/greet/history.htm>; Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, <http://www.kins.re.kr>; IAEA Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), <http://www.iaea.org/dbpage/>; “Nuclear Leaks Forces Temporary Plant Shutdown in South Korea,” Power Asia, 7 November 1988, p. 12, in Lexis- Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; “Publication Review: Korean Nuclear: A Lesson on How to Get it Right,” Power Asia, 19 October 1992, p.1, in Lexis- Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Mark Hibbs, “KEPCO, KINS to Develop Plan for Extending Wolsong-1 Life,” Nucleonics Week, 10 December 1998, p. 9, in Lexis- Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 13 January 2000, in “ROKG to Shutdown Old Nuclear Plants Starting 2008,” FBIS Document ID: FTS20000113000401; “Energy: Korea Will Shut Down 2 Nuclear Units by 2013,” Korean Industry Updates, 14 January 2000, p. 6, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Park Hak Yong, “Wŏnjŏn Kori 1 Ho 2008 Nyŏn P’yeswae,” Munhwa Ilbo, 14 January 2000, p. 3, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Ch’a Pyŏng Hak, “Wŏlsŏng’wŏnjŏn Ddo Chungsunusŏl; Chagŏpcha 2 Myŏng Pangsanŭng P’ibok, Chosun Ilbo, 23 May 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.co.kr>; Wŏlsŏng 1 Hogi Chŏmgŏmjung Naenggaksu Yuch’ulsago,” Hankyoreh Shinmun, 23 May 2000, p. 4, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.co.kr>;  Chungang Ilbo [sic], “Radiation Leaks at ROK’s 1st Wolsong Atomic Power Station,” FBIS Document ID: KPP20000524000026; Mark Hibbs, “KHNP to Replace Wolsong-1 Tibes, Ulchin-1 and-2 Steam Generators,” Nucleonics Week, 6 November 2003, p. 7, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; The Canadian Nuclear FAQ, <http://www.nuclearfaq.ca>; CANDU Owners Group, <http://www/candu.org>.

	Updated October 2004