The Audit and Inspection Board reserves the judgment on the feasibility of early closure of nuclear power plants … Spreading a backlash against “pre-nuclear leniency”

Following the conclusion of the “Ministry of Industry to induce early closure”, the appropriateness of the closure is excluded from the audit.
Some voices of “auditor, political commitment” … Industry critic “Why did you thank him for this?”
On the 20th, the controversy over the post-nuclear plant policy continues and the result of the audit differs judgment on the appropriateness of the early closure of Wolsong Unit 1, which is the core of the audit. Some pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy had a procedural flaw in the economic evaluation of Wolsong Unit 1, but they opposed this audit on the decision to close Wolsong Unit 1 early, a key issue and the purpose of the audit request. Aware of Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party, some point out: “Isn’t it a political compromise?” The nuclear power plant industry responded by saying, “In fact, it gave leniency to post-nuclear power plant policy.”

In a report on the ‘validity check of the decision to close Wolseong Unit 1 early’, the Auditor said: “This audit was mainly conducted in the field of economic feasibility.” “The Korea Hydroelectric and Nuclear Power Council considered safety and regional acceptability in addition to economic viability. “There is a limit to seeing it as a comprehensive judgment on the validity of the decision to immediately shut down the unit.”

The Audit and Inspection Board also said: “The government’s ‘power conversion policy’ or as part of the Eighth Basic Electric Power Supply and Demand Plan to promote the early closure of Wolsong Unit 1 (right or wrong) It is within the scope of this audit. This does not apply. “Regarding the adequacy of the early closure decision, the auditor pointed out that” the Ministry of Industry was involved in the evaluation process, so the economic feasibility evaluation was advantageous for KHNP to decide to close the immediate operation. “Although the Industry Ministry concluded that it induces early closure in accordance with the preliminary conclusion that Wolsong 1 would close immediately, it said the decision to close the first Wolsong 1 was excluded from the audit ruling.

The Audit and Inspection Board also said: “It is difficult to say that there was an intentional culprit of negligence in the business” regarding whether the KHNP board of directors decided to close earlier. The reason is that it is difficult to say that the KHNP directors were willing to cause damage to the KHNP property by the closure of Wolseong Unit 1. However, the Board of Audit and Inspection noted that KHNP explained in advance to the board of directors on June 15, 2018 that a loss could occur if Wolseong Unit 1 continues to operate. The economic viability of Wolseong Unit 1 is said to have been assessed as low, and a decision was made to shut down the nuclear power plant before notifying the board of directors in advance. Consequently, the Audit and Inspection Board did not take any special action, such as prosecution, against the officials of the Ministry of Industry and KHNP who led the decision to underestimate the economic viability and close early. So, criticism poured in and out of the nuclear power plant industry on the results of this audit, “Why did you do this?” Some point out that in the audit process, the passport was a matter of Choi Jae-hyung’s neutrality, and the auditor found a political compromise. On the same day, the Council of Teachers (Ekyohyup), which is pursuing the rationalization of energy policy, published a press release entitled ‘Early closure of Wolsong Unit 1 is invalid’ and said: You must withdraw immediately “, He said.” Shinhanul units 3 and 4, whose construction was suspended, should also be restored to normal. “Deok-Hwan Lee, co-representative of the University of Education, Professor of Chemistry at Sogang University, said:” The question requested by the National Assembly to the auditor is the validity of the early closure of Wolsong Unit 1, but the conclusions on this part are completely lacking. “” It’s good. “

Seong Pung-hyun, the non-representative of the National Action for the Reactivation of Nuclear Energy (KAIST, Professor of the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering) pointed out: “The content of the audit is very poor.” He added: “It is not easy to insist on changing the direction of post-nuclear policy as a result of such a lack of auditing.”

Park Hyo-mok [email protected] / Sejong = Reporter Koo