nuclear-news

Another example of corruption in the nuclear industry

Another Nuke Scandal: Theft and Bribery After a blackout-and-coverup episode recently, another development is emerging that could deepen distrust in South Korea’s nuclear industry: a corruption scandal. WSJ, April 27, 2012,

Prosecutors in Ulsan and Busan on Thursday announced the arrest of six nuclear industry executives and an equipment broker on corruption charges. The prosecutors allege the officials received bribes up to 100 million won ($88,100) each in return for providing business favors to a Korean manufacturer.

In one case, an official is alleged to have secretly handed over a sealing unit part made by French Areva, along with its specification, to a local manufacturer in return for 80 million won. The manufacturer produced a copy and sold it to four nuclear power plants…… The
arrests came less than two months after officials were caught trying to cover up a blackout at the Gori-1 nuclear plant, the oldest nuclear facility in the country. A power failure, if persisted long enough, could be lead to a serious problem like a nuclear fuel meltdown. KHNP CEO Kim Jong-shin stepped down earlier this month due to the incident. Seven other officials were relieved of their duties.

Jan Vande Putte, a nuclear expert at Greenpeace International, said in a statement Friday that the latest case is “a clear indication that the Korean nuclear industry is out of control.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2012/04/27/another-nuke-scandal-theft-and-bribery/?mod=google_news_blog

April 28, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, South Korea