IAEA to inspect troubled nuke reactors in S Korea

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will begin safety inspections at the Gori-1 and Wolseong-1 nuclear reactors in South Korea next week as debate continues about permanently shutting down both reactors. The Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company says a special investigation team of seven experts from the IAEA will arrive in Korea next Monday to inspect the Wolseong-1 reactor through June eighth, South Korean Broadcasting Service (KBS) reported today. Another team of roughly ten officials from the nuclear watchdog will inspect the Gori-1 reactor from June fourth through the eleventh. Officials at the Gori-1 reactor tried to cover up a brief power outage in February. The Seoul government will determine whether to resume operations at the reactors and extend their lifespans based on the inspections. The Korean Federation for Environmental Movement says the IAEA inspection is aimed at re-starting the reactors and a decision to run them based on the results of the inspection is unacceptable.