The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) has violated the Nuclear Safety Act 19 times over the past five years, showing that its safety insensitivity to nuclear power plants has been serious.
According to recent data submitted to Rep. Wi Seong-gon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea by KHNP, KHNP has faced administrative punishments 19 times owing to its violation of the Nuclear Safety Act since July 2013. As a result, the amount of penalty fees reached 7.5 billion won.
In particular, due to dissatisfaction with the safety grade valve requirements and failure of the approval criteria, KHNP paid a total of 5.8 billion won in penalty fees for many nuclear reactors, including Sinwolseong No. 1 and 2, Hanbit 3 and 6.
It was also belatedly revealed that in June 2015, 30 million won in fines was imposed on KHNP for failing to comply with the operating technology guide for Gori-2 reactor. Analysts pointed out that the government needs to take more thorough measures against KHNP's repeated violations of the Nuclear Safety Act.
Rep. Wi said, "The KHNP's violation of related laws has reached a serious level. KHNP must secure safety of nuclear power plants and restore public trust by receiving education on relevant laws and regulations."
Meanwhile, Rep. Song Hee-kyung said, "KHNP should improve the working environment for its employees and strengthen safety management for dangerous sites to prevent industrial accidents."