More falsified spare parts found in South Korean nuclear sector

South Korea has discovered more replacement parts with counterfeit quality certificates in its nuclear power network but says it will not have to shut down any more plants.

Earlier this month the country shuttered two nuclear facilities operated by Korean Hydro & Nuclear Power Co after it found that almost 8,000 spare parts acquired between 2003 and 2012 - with an estimated value of around $750,000 - had fake documentation.

The affected parts are said to be non-safety-critical components such as fuses, switches and cooling fans that were delivered to five of the country's nuclear power plants.

Now, another 900 parts have been discovered, some of which went to a sixth reactor not included in the earlier probe, according to South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC).

The agency said it plans to inspect the quality assurance management system for nuclear power plants and establish "comprehensive countermeasures" to prevent any reoccurrence of the falsification incident.

News of the fake documentation problems comes as the International Energy Agency (IEA) has advised South Korea to build additional nuclear reactors in order to help it meet low-carbon targets.

At the same time, the IEA has recommended that South Korea tighten monitoring procedures in the wake of incidents that have shaken confidence in the programme, including a safety incident at the Gori-1 power station in February, cracks in equipment at another facility in Yeonggwang and the latest fake documentation scandal.

South Korea currently has 23 nuclear power reactors, which account for around a third of the country's total power generation. It is planning to build 11 more by 2024 to raise the contribution to nearly 50 per cent.

The latest incidents "should serve as a timely reminder to the government that the nuclear regulatory authority must maintain an enhanced profile, be well-resourced and able to take independent decisions," said IEA executive director Maria van der Hoeven.