The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has decided to extend the life span of the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor.
 
The commission reached the decision after a heated debate that opened at ten in the morning on Thursday and ended early Friday.
 
Two of the nine commission members walked out on the meeting and the remaining seven reached a decision that will extend the 32-year-old reactor's life to 2022. The currently dormant reactor is scheduled to resume operations in April.
 
During the debate, commission members battled over whether current safety standards were sufficient and whether the opinions of local residents had been reflected in the deliberation process.
 
Meanwhile, residents and civic groups who oppose the extension intend to file a lawsuit to invalidate the commission’s decision.