Korea to shut down oldest nuclear reactor

Kori Unit 1, the nation’s oldest nuclear power reactor in Korea, may be the first to close, with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recommending the reactor to permanently close down Friday. 

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, controlled by the ministry, must make a final decision on whether to extend the plant’s lifespan by June 18.

Kori Unit 1 was built in 1977 by the U.S. government and American company Westinghouse Electric Corp.

Its designated lifespan of 30 years ended in 2007, but was renewed in 2008 until June 2017.

KHNP stated there are no safety hazards on Kori Unit 1, but it has been pressed by opposition from civic groups and the local population against the continued operations of the reactor.

Kori Unit 1 has had 130 malfunction problems since 1977, the most out of all nuclear power plants in Korea. Korea currently has 23 nuclear power reactors operating nationwide.

Korean MERS suspect monitored in Slovakia

A South Korean is on secluded watch in Slovakia after showing symptoms of Middle East respiratory syndrome, officials said Sunday.

The 38-year-old Korean reported himself to Korean authorities citing MERS-like symptoms, upon which Seoul informed the Slovakian counterparts.

The man landed in the Slovak capital of Bratislava on June 3 and has been identified as a subcontractor working at a Kia Motors plant in the northwestern city of Zilina.

The Slovakian health authorities immediately transported the patient to a hospital and placed him on isolated watch on June 13.

The Foreign Ministry here said the man did not visit any hospital in Korea before traveling to Slovakia earlier this month.

“We will continue to provide consular assistance while closely cooperating with the Slovakian health authorities,” a ministry official said.

The man reportedly suffered from diarrhea, high fever and skin lesions and is currently undergoing tests to confirm any MERS infection.

From news reports (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

Pork imports jump in April on FMD outbreak: data

South Korea's pork imports surged in April from a year earlier as a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affected domestic supply, government data showed Thursday.
  

According to the data by the Korea Customs Service, imports reached 39,000 tons in April, up 24.1 percent from 32,000 tons a year earlier. The value of the imports reached $120 million, marking a 21.7 percent on-year increase.
  

The outbreak, which began in late December and continued into April, led to a decrease in domestic supply, the KCS said. FMD is a highly contagious animal disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals.
  

Growth in the number of South Koreans enjoying camping caused a spike in consumption, it added. Pork is the food of choice for many campers with demand usually peaking in spring.
  

The United States remained the largest exporter of pork to South Korea, accounting for 32.6 percent of the total, followed by 17.6 percent for Germany and 10.8 percent for Spain. Chile and Canada made the top five list by accounting for 8.2 percent and 7.2 percent of all imports, respectively.
  

The customs office said that while imports have increased overall, unit price for a kilogram of pork fell to the lowest number in 13 months in April, from a 10-year high reached in July 2014. (Yonhap)