South Korea: Nuclear reactor shut after ‘malfunction’

By Riyaz ul Khaliq</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – A nuclear reactor in South Korea has been shut down on Friday following a technical glitch, local media reported.</p> <p>According to Yonhap news agency, South Korea Hydro &amp; Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced 1 million-kilowatt Hanbit No. 5 in Yeonggwang region “stopped operating at around 1.25 p.m. (0425GMT), apparently due to a malfunction in its transformer”. </p> <p>South Korea has six operational reactors at the Hanbit plant. The same nuclear reactor was shut down last September for its regular examination. It restarted generating power in November. </p> <p>KHNP said that the malfunction in the nuclear reactor “did not cause any radiation leak or pose safety risks”. </p> <p>Yonhap reported that South Korean officials have opened an investigation into what caused the malfunction in the Hanbit plant. </p> <p>Hanbit No. 5 is expected to resume its operation as soon as inspections are completed, the news agency said.