Gov't to enhance quality control olf nucear reactor components

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- The government said Wednesday that it will enhance quality control systems for nuclear reactor components as part of efforts to turn South Korea into one of the world's top three atomic energy producers.

The plan calls for a systematic upgrade in the production management of parts and
materials used in nuclear reactors that are made in the country, the Ministry of
Knowledge Economy said.
The country, which currently operates 20 reactors, signed a contract to build
four of its new APR-1400 reactors for the United Arab Emirates late last year.
The deal is worth US$20 billion and marks the first time South Korea has won a
foreign order to build nuclear reactors.
The ministry also said a task force comprised of government and industry
officials has called for the establishment of a dedicated control center to
oversee and check the production process of nuclear reactors.
There are over 300 companies that make parts and materials for nuclear reactors
in the country with around 250 being small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Products made by the SMEs are checked by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. and
Doosan Heavy Industry and Construction Co., which are responsible for making the
reactors, but there have been calls for a more structured approach to quality
control.
The move comes after defective parts caused Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. to
implement a global recall of its cars.
"A car has around 10,000 parts, but a reactor is made up of over 2 million
separate components so the need for quality control is much more extensive," an
official said.
He said the ministry will establish a new office to supervise the nuclear energy
industry and facilitate exports.
Seoul said last month that with the successful sale of reactors to the UAE, South
Korea aims to export 80 nuclear reactors by 2030, equivalent to about 20 percent
of orders expected to be placed by countries around the world.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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