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| South Korea shuts nuclear reactors over unapproved parts | South Korea shuts nuclear reactors over unapproved parts |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| South Korea has shut down two nuclear reactors after it was revealed that some parts used had not been properly vetted, an official says. | South Korea has shut down two nuclear reactors after it was revealed that some parts used had not been properly vetted, an official says. |
| Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo said these were "non-core" parts and were not a safety threat. | Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo said these were "non-core" parts and were not a safety threat. |
| They included fuses, cooling fans and power switches that did not have the required nuclear industry certificates. | They included fuses, cooling fans and power switches that did not have the required nuclear industry certificates. |
| The shut-down means there could be "unprecedented" power shortages in the next few months, Mr Hong said. | |
| The more than 5,000 parts could be used in other industries but needed international certification for nuclear power plant usage, he said. | |
| Almost all the parts were used at the Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant, in the south-west, where the two reactors were shut down. | |
| "Comprehensive safety check-ups are necessary at these two reactors where the uncertified parts were used extensively," the minister said. | "Comprehensive safety check-ups are necessary at these two reactors where the uncertified parts were used extensively," the minister said. |
| "It's inevitable that we will experience unprecedented power shortage during the coming winter with the two reactors shut." | "It's inevitable that we will experience unprecedented power shortage during the coming winter with the two reactors shut." |
| He said the parts, worth 820m won ($750,000, £467,800), had been sourced from eight suppliers since 2003. | |
| South Korea's 23 nuclear reactors, which supply 35% of the country's electricity, have experienced a series of malfunctions over the past few months. | |
| While none have posed a public risk, opposition to the government's bid to vastly expand its nuclear industry has been growing, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul. |