A nuclear power plant in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, resumed operations on Sunday, six days after the plant came to a halt due to technical malfunctions.

The Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. announced that the Yeonggwang-6 nuclear power plant went back into operation at 8:40 a.m., following the official inspection and approval from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission the day before.

The Yeonggwang-6 unit is expected to reach its normal power-generating capacity by midnight on Monday, the KHNP said.

The atomic reactor of the 1-million-kilowatt nuclear plant halted on July 30 due to a failure in the electric generator that supplies energy to the control bar operating machine.

Yonhap News reported that the reactor-protective siren suddenly wailed as the nuclear reactor and power turbine broke down, frightening the KHNP staff.

The broken parts were quickly replaced by their manufacturer Hyosung and other experts along with close examination, Yonhap said.

The Yeonggwang-6 unit began commercial operation in December 2002.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)