Nuke watchdog votes to extend life span of 32-yr-old nuke reactor

South Korea's nuclear watchdog has decided to extend the life span of a 32-year-old nuclear reactor to 2022 amid pros and cons.

During a meeting continued until early this morning (Friday), the members of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) voted to clear the way for the 678-megawatt Wolsong-1 reactor on the country's southeast coast to resume operation.

The reopening of the reactor, which was turned off in November 2012 following 30 years of commercial operation, has been strongly opposed by residents and environmental groups over safety concerns.

Under the NSSC's decision, the state power operator Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. is expected to restart the Wolsong reactor in April.