Korea's nuclear reactor breakdowns cost $229M

There were 89 nuclear reactor malfunctions in South Korea over the past 10 years that cost the country US$299 million.

According to the report of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. the malfunctions caused reactors to go off-line temporarily.

Of all the malfunctions that affected electricity sales, 39 involved the six reactors at the Uljin station, 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, while 25 stoppages were reported for the six reactors at the Yeonggwang plant on the country's southwestern coast.

There were 14 and 11 cases of malfunctions, respectively, at the Gori and Wolsong plants, which have four reactors each. Gori is located in Busan, the country's second-largest city, while Wolsong, near Gyeongju, is home to the country's only heavy water reactors.

The New Gori 1 reactor that officially started commercial power generation early this month was not counted in the latest tally.

 All malfunctions involved minor mechanical problems and mistakes committed by operators that caused temperatures and pressure of reactors and support equipment to exceed normal levels. No radiation leaks or other serious problems have been reported, KHNP said.