Asian nation planning two large-scale units and one SMR
South Korea’s state-run energy company Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has chosen Yeongdeok County in the east of the country as a potential site for two new large-scale nuclear reactors.
According to media reports quoting KHNP, the company has also chosen Gijang County in the southeast as the candidate site for South Korea’s first small modular reactor (SMR).
The two 1,400-MW reactors in Yeongdeok County are scheduled for completion in 2037 and 2038. They are likely to used South Korea’s indigenous Generation III+ APR1400 pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology.
The APR1400 was designed by KHNP and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco). KHNP is Kepco’s wholly-owned subsidiary which owns and operates South Korea’s commercial nuclear plants.
The planned i-SMR plant in Gijang County is targeted for completion in 2035.
The i-SMR is South Korea’s proprietary, next-generation SMR nuclear plant, designed by a consortium of South Korean organisations led by the KHNP and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.
The i-SMR, or Innovative Small Modular Reactor is a PWR plant with an electrical output of 170 MW.
Reports in South Korea said the Gijang SMR facility would have a capacity of about 700 MW, which means it is likely to have four units, or a capacity of 680 MW.
The decision marks the first time since 2011 that South Korea has designated new sites for nuclear power plants.
According to KHNP, the two sites were chosen after reviewing suitability, environmental impact, construction feasibility and public acceptance.
KHNP plans to begin licensing procedures, including an environmental impact assessment, early next year.
Last year South Korea approved a long-term electricity supply and demand plan outlining an expansion of nuclear power with the construction of two new large-scale reactor units and an SMR plant by 2038.
Plan Faced Political Hurdles
The plan had faced political hurdles, particularly over the scale of nuclear expansion. A political agreement led to a compromise that reduced the number of large reactors by one, while increasing investments in solar energy and energy storage systems, The Chosun Daily said.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), South Korea has 26 nuclear units in commercial operation. In 2024 they provided 31.7% of the country’s electricity production share.
The IAEA says two units are under construction, both APR1400 plants at Saeul-3 and -4.
In 2024 South Korea approved the completion of Shin Hanul-3 and -4, reviving a project that was scrapped by the former administration. Work has begun on those units, both APR1400s, but they are not yet listed by the IAEA as under construction.
South Korea has four operational APR1400 units. They are Saeul-1 and -2 and Shin Hanul-1 and -2.
Four APR1400 units have been built and are all in commercial operation at the Barakah nuclear power station in the United Arab Emirates.
Background: Policy Changes And Impeachment
From 2017-2022 previous president Moon Jae-in’s administration attempted to slowly phase out nuclear energy, cancelling plans for new reactors and allowing aging plants to shut down upon reaching the end of their lifespans.
This anti-nuclear policy was scrapped by president Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in 2022 and strongly advocated for reviving the domestic nuclear industry.
Yoon was removed from office in 2025. He was impeached over a failed attempt to impose martial law and is now serving time in prison after he was sentenced to life for insurrection.
Current president Lee Jae Myung has advanced nuclear plans, despite some early questions regarding the need for reactors and the timeline for renewables. Lee stopped short of advocating a nuclear phaseout, but brought a more cautious stance to the table.
