S.Korea attempts to revamp nuclear industry image

Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power is inviting foreign media on a tour of its original nuclear plant site.

This is part of South Korea's efforts to revive its reputation as it expressed its intent to export roughly 80 nuclear reactors worth over 300 billion dollars by 2030.

The country's nuclear industry has been questioned over a series of scandals and technical problems.

It assured foreign media that nuclear technology is not only a clean resource of energy but also one of the safest in the world, although domestic distrust in nuclear power continues to rise.

In a span of two years public confidence over the safety of nuclear power plants in South Korea has plunged dramatically by 50 percent with over 13 malfunction shutdowns in the last year alone. Malfunctions have been linked to purchase parts surrounded by corruption, which for its part has led to the arrest of over 20 South Korean nuclear industry officials.

Nuclear energy officials insist the problem was in the improper execution of the procedures not the technology itself.

Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power has since gained exclusive authorities to certify and purchase parts.

Environmental groups argue that the bigger problem is the lack of transparency.

Seoul’s investment in nuclear technology grows as atomic energy accounts for over a third of the country’s energy source. South Korea has also submitted a bid for a nuclear power deal with Finland.

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