Kim Hoe-cheon (third from left), president of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, inspects heat-vulnerable work zones and power generation facilities at the Kori Nuclear Power Plant headquarters on Friday. [Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power]
Kim Hoe-cheon (third from left), president of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, inspects heat-vulnerable work zones and power generation facilities at the Kori Nuclear Power Plant headquarters on Friday. [Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power]

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power President Kim Hoe-cheon visited a nuclear power plant to inspect generation facilities and on-site working conditions as the prolonged heat wave has heightened the importance of stable electricity supply.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power said Sunday that Kim visited the Kori Nuclear Power Plant headquarters on Friday to conduct an intensive inspection of heat-vulnerable work zones and the operational status of power generation facilities.

The visit was made in line with the government's response posture under its extreme heat wave alert, with the aim of prioritizing the stable operation of generation facilities and the safety of on-site workers.

Kim checked the health conditions and working environments of workers in heat-vulnerable zones within the plant, and confirmed that protective measures to prevent heat-related illness were being effectively implemented on the ground.

He also reviewed the operation of heat-relief rest areas set up in shared break facilities, listened to workers' concerns and discussed practical support measures.

Kim received a briefing on the operational status of generation facilities and response measures related to rising seawater temperatures, and called for thorough management and preemptive action to ensure no disruption to stable power production. He then encouraged shift workers on duty and expressed his gratitude to staff carrying out their power supply duties through the intense heat.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has independently extended its worker health and safety emphasis period through Aug. 31, even after the government's industrial safety and health emphasis period — which ran from July 6 to Aug. 1 — concluded. Under the extension, the company is intensifying patrols during peak heat hours and focusing on close monitoring of workers most vulnerable to heat-related illness, in an all-out effort to protect employee health and prevent safety incidents.

"Creating a work environment where employees can work safely even in extreme heat is of paramount importance," Kim said. "We will do our utmost to protect the health and safety of our workers through proactive, field-centered heat wave response, and to supply the public with stable electricity."


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com