The first female certified nuclear power inspector has been appointed in Korea.

Cha Yun-jeong, a technical researcher at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, President Lee Jeong-hwan), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, has become the first woman in Korea to obtain the qualification of a certified nuclear power inspector.

The Korea Atomic Energy Inspectorate (KAI) is responsible for ensuring that pressure equipment used in domestic nuclear power plants is manufactured, constructed, and operated safely in accordance with technical standards. To this end, the Korea Electric Power Association (KEA) developed the Korea Electric Power Industry Code (KEPIC) to ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of electric power industry equipment and devices. KEA also provides training for related personnel and manages and administers qualification examinations.

The KEPIC qualification certification system is a system in which the Korea Electric Power Association evaluates and manages the qualifications of organizations and individuals with certain qualifications to perform tasks stipulated by KEPIC in order to ensure the safety and reliability of power facilities (especially nuclear power plants).

Cha Yun-jeong, a technical engineer at the Korea Institute of Materials Science and Technology (KIMS), is the first female certified nuclear power inspector in Korea, having passed the certification exam 25 years after its inception. She began working at KIMS in 2017 and has handled a wide range of tasks, from basic administrative tasks to certified inspection contracts, in-house training, and certification management. I began studying for the qualification in 2018. Over the past six years, I've failed four times and taken the exam a total of five times. This success is truly remarkable, as only two people have passed the 2022 exam.

“I believe I have finally taken my first step as a certified nuclear power inspector,” said Cha Yun-jeong, a technical expert at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. “I will continue to challenge myself and study for the remaining certifications, never losing my original intention, and do my best at my work.”

Cha Yun-jeong, a technical expert, is from Busan and graduated from Mandeok Middle School, Mandeok High School, and the Department of Naval Architecture and Engineering at Pukyong National University.