President Cho Seok of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power speaks at the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Biennial General Meeting (BGM) in Toronto, Canada, on Oct. 6 after he was elected as president of WANO.

president Cho Seok of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) took office as the president of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) during the WANO Biennial General Meeting (BGM) in Toronto, Canada on Oct. 6. 

Cho will serve as the president of WANO for a two-year term, during which he will lead the international organization together with the chairman of the board, Jacques Regaldo, steering its major decision making processes involving nuclear power industries around the world, including decisions on strengthening safety standards and other issues. 

In his inaugural speech at the BGM at Westin Harbor Castle in Toronto, Canada, which was attended by more than 1,000 CEOs of nuclear power operations around the world, President Cho highlighted a number of important factors in the global management environment, including the issue of safety, which has been in the spotlight since the Fukushima accident, enhanced cooperation between advanced and underdeveloped countries to support the construction of new nuclear power plants, the increased need to improve collaboration among different regions, and the need to seek global cooperation to deal with the problem of decommissioned nuclear facilities. 

He said that WANO would plan to implement a program to transfer the experience of building and commissioning nuclear power plants to the countries that are introducing new nuclear facilities, and would also strengthen collaboration in order to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants in each region, and then promote exchanges among members to support the disposal of decommissioned reactors and radioactive waste. 

“In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we must pursue shared growth with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. With this end in mind, I plan to strengthen our work to establish a new model for cooperation. WANO will strive to resolve the current issues we face, while achieving our mission,” Cho said. “WANO will commence discussions on measures for cooperation at the international level concerning the safe management of used reactors and radioactive wastes such as spent fuel.” 

Cho also made the official announcement that WANO will hold its next general gathering in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, in 2017. Speaking on why Gyeongju had been chosen, he said “This is the place where the tradition and legacy of Korea remains intact, yet it also houses Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant and facilities to keep low and medium-level nuclear waste. In addition, KHNP plans to relocate its head office to this region by the end of the year.”

His inauguration secures a global leadership position for the KHNP that befits its ranking as the world’s No. 3 nuclear power operator, which in turn is likely to help enhance KHNP’s global profile and the international community’s confidence in Korea’s nuclear power technologies, and strengthen KHNP’s ability to win overseas nuclear projects.

WANO, established in 1989, has a membership of 126 companies from 35 countries. Headquartered in London, WANO has four regional centers in Tokyo, Paris, Atlanta and Moscow.  

KHNP President Cho Seok announces that WANO will hold its next BGM in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, in 2017. (Photos:KHNP)

WANO Boosts Safety and Unites Companies and Countries That Have Operating Commercial Reactors

The organization exists purely to help its members accomplish the highest levels of operational safety and reliability. This is achieved through a series of highly-regarded programs, such as peer reviews, and access to—technical support and—a global library of operating experience. Based in London with regional centres in Moscow, Atlanta, Tokyo and Paris, WANO cuts across political barriers and interests.

WANO is a non-profit organization and does not advocate for, or on behalf of, the nuclear industry.

While WANO works directly with its members, the organization is not a regulatory body and does not advise companies on issues such as initial reactor design selection.

With safety as the only goal, WANO helps operators communicate effectively and share information openly. Experience shows many accidents could have been prevented if lessons had been learned from previous incidents. Ultimately, this will raise the performance of all operators to that of the best.

A view of the nuclear power units of the Kori Nuclear Power Complex.