South Korea probes nuclear lapses, utility CEO tenders resignation

SEOUL (REUTERS) - Two South Korean nuclear reactors remained shut on Wednesday, raising the prospect of winter power shortages, as the government investigated how thousands of parts for the reactors were supplied using forged safety documents.

Mr Kim Joong Kyum, the president and CEO of power utility Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco), which owns the operator of South Korea's 23 nuclear plants, tendered his resignation for what Kepco officials said were "personal reasons".

The presidential office will decide this weekend whether to accept Mr Kim's resignation, said a senior economy ministry official, who did not want to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Eight companies submitted 60 false certificates to cover more than 7,000 parts used in the reactors between 2003 and 2012, and Economy Minister Hong Suk Woo told parliament that most of the documents, which purported to come from certifying body UCI, were forgeries.