The Hanaro research reactor. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute]
The Hanaro research reactor. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute]

South Korea's only multipurpose research reactor, Hanaro, is set to resume operation after a roughly six-month shutdown.

With Hanaro returning to normal operation, production of radioisotopes used in cancer treatment — along with various other research and testing activities that had been suspended — is expected to resume.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission concluded its investigation into the automatic shutdown of Hanaro, operated by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, on March 12 and approved the reactor's restart Friday.

According to the commission's investigation, the shutdown was caused by a malfunction in a radiation detector used to monitor the reactor's output. Repairing the instrument — including cause analysis and parts replacement carried out through the overseas manufacturer — took approximately six months.

The commission confirmed that the repaired detector had been properly reinstalled and that performance checks on it and similar instruments had been conducted appropriately. It also determined that a comprehensive set of measures to prevent a recurrence had been established, including improvements to the detector integrity management system.

The commission said it plans to continue monitoring the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute's implementation of those preventive measures after Hanaro resumes operation.


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com