Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo on Wednesday apologized for delayed reports of the temporary power loss at the Gori nuclear power plant in Busan on Feb. 9 and vowed to reprimand those responsible.

Kim Jong-shin, chief executive of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., said he will take responsibility if necessary, adding that he only learned about the accident on Sunday and reported it to the ministry and nuclear security authorities on Monday.

“I apologize for the belated reports on the power loss at the Gori-1 nuclear power plant during a safety inspection,” Hong said in a statement.

“The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has begun a probe under government policy that prioritizes safety and seeks to raise the transparency of nuclear power plant operation.”

The Gori-1 unit was not operating at the time and the reactor had been stopped and cooled for the sixth day for regular maintenance, Hong said.

The external power breaker was disconnected due to a staff member’s handling mistake and the diesel power generator didn’t work, but the external power was on at the time and a substitute diesel power generator could operate, causing no safety problems.

“Even minor problems are supposed to be reported according to related rules,” Hong said.

“The ministry will take necessary measures including reproval of the related officials once the NSSC probe is completed.”

Kim said he was informed of the incident by the newly appointed chief of the Gori-1 unit Sunday afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m.

The new chief of the Gori-1 unit learned about the accident as he took office on Friday when a Busan city councilor confirmed the accident with the KHNP. The KHNP named a new head and a new manager of the Gori-1 unit on March 6.

Kim attributed their delayed report to the public criticism of Gori-1 unit’s life extension, the fact that his announcement on safety measures for nuclear power plants took place on the day of the accident, the first anniversary of the Fukushima plant accident and the upcoming nuclear security summit in Seoul.

The KHNP began an internal probe into the accident as soon as Kim received the report.

“I am extremely ashamed as nuclear power plants must guarantee safety and transparency,” Kim said.

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