SEOUL, Dec 30 (Reuters) - South Korea gave the green light on Tuesday for the operation of a nuclear reactor with electricity output of 1,400 megawatts, the nuclear watchdog said, starting with a pilot run of six months.

In a statement, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said the Saeul 3 unit in the southeastern city of Ulsan, construction of which had begun in 2016, would expand to full operation after its pilot run over the next six months.

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Apart from Saeul 3, South Korea has 26 nuclear reactor units and three more under construction, state-run operator Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power says on its website.

Nuclear makes up the bulk of South Korea's energy mix, accounting for 31.7% of power generation in 2024, followed by gas and coal at 28.1% each, the industry ministry said in May.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/south-korea-greenlights-operation-nuclear-power-reactor-2025-12-30/