South Korea shuts down two nuclear reactors

BBC : More than 5000 parts that weren’t certified for use in nuclear power plants were found in two of the reactors at Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant, which prompted the South Korean government to shut them down. The parts, which cost $750 000, had been obtained from eight different suppliers since 2003. Although none of the parts pose immediate safety concerns, the country’s Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo said that comprehensive safety checks are necessary. The result will likely be unprecedented power shortages for the next several months, because 35% of the nation’s electricity is generated by its 23 nuclear reactors. This latest development follows several malfunctions at South Korea’s nuclear plants over the past several months, which have increased opposition to the government’s attempts to expand the industry.