Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo on Monday inspected the Wolseong nuclear power plant and the low and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal site in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as part of a safety checkup a year after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

At the Wolseong plant, Hong checked on the emergency diesel power generator and urged staff to take extra caution for safe operation to prevent accidents like the power outage in Gori-1 unit last month.

The trip comes just days after the minister vowed to reprimand those responsible for delayed reports on the power loss at the Gori-1 unit during a regular safety examination. 

Hong also called for safe construction of the radioactive waste disposal facility, which has recently had its deadline extended for 18 months to be completed by the end of June 2014.

The construction period was extended to reinforce the groundwork and block the groundwater leaks caused by digging.

Hong examined the construction site at between 80 and 130 meters below the ground and the ongoing reinforcement work in the repositories, the ministry said in a press release.

The minister ordered safety inspections on the construction site and the results to be made public.

He stressed that Gyeongju, the location of the radioactive waste disposal site, was a major partner in the nation’s energy policy during a luncheon with officials of related institutions in the North Gyeongsang region.

The meeting was attended by the vice governor of North Gyeongsang, vice mayor of Gyeongju, chief of the Gyeongju city council, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.’s chief executive and the president of Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation.

Hong also visited the Hyundai Motor factory in Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province, later in the day and urged the automaker to make good use of the free trade agreements with the United States and the European Union. He then visited SK Chemicals’ Ulsan plant where he asked for efforts for stable supply of crude oil and stabilization of oil prices.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)