Busan: South Korea on Saturday restarted one of its oldest nuclear reactors following an extended shutdown for safety upgrades, according to local media reports. State-run operator Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. confirmed that the Gori-2 reactor resumed operations after nearly three years offline, Yonhap News reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Gori-2 reactor is located at the Gori Nuclear Power Plant in the southeastern city of Busan. First commissioned in 1983, it was the country's third nuclear reactor and played a key role in South Korea's early nuclear energy development. The reactor's operations were halted in 2023 after its 40-year license expired, which triggered a comprehensive review process including safety inspections and facility upgrades required under current regulatory standards.

Regulators granted approval for the reactor's restart late last year after it met updated safety requirements. This move allows the reactor to return to the grid, contributing to South Korea's energy needs. The resumption comes as South Korea continues to balance energy security with safety concerns, relying on nuclear power as a major component of its electricity supply.