S.Korea hounded by fake parts of nuclear power plants

More nuclear-related forgeries.

South Korean officials uncovered new instances of fake certificates being supplied for parts operating in nuclear power plants.

The country's Board of Audit and Inspection have so far found 87 documents affecting parts forged by two unidentified firms.

Authorities shut two of the country's 23 reactors last month after a nuclear safety commission found fake certificates supplied by eight firms. With nuclear power providing a third of electricity, that raised the prospect of winter shortages.

A third reactor was subjected to extended maintenance after microscopic cracks were found in tunnels that control fuel rods. The commission subsequently found nearly 1,000 more parts had been supplied with fake certificates by two other firms, but said remaining reactors would stay in operation.

It gave no further details, but a source at Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power said the documents related to parts not directly linked to the nuclear process, including pumps and cylinder heads for diesel engines. The

documents served as guarantees for the quality of raw materials used to make the parts.

"This case is different from last month's as it is related to raw materials for parts," said the source, who declined to be identified. "We have no plans for (further) shutdowns as the parts are tiny."

The source said the affected parts were worth a total of US$1.48 million.

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