South Korea has suspended operations at two of its nuclear reactors over the use of “fake documents”, reports claim.

The nation’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is said to have halted operations to replace “unauthorised equipment” that was supplied using safety certificates that had been fabricated.

The news follows a series of nuclear shutdowns in the past and two reactors suspended last year amid similar reports.

The affected reactors are believed to be in Kori, around 320 km southeast of Seoul and in Wolsong, around 280km from the capital, each with a maximum capacity of 1,000MW. One is currently undergoing maintenance whilst the other, a new reactor, won’t operate until its parts – such as control cables – are replaced. The control cable is used to send electronic signals to a reactor’s control system in the event of an accident.

South Korea currently has 23 nuclear reactors, which supply around a third of its electricity needs.

Earlier this month ELN reported South Korea could have the “world’s highest” carbon prices whilst late last year the International Energy Agency (IEA) called for the nation to reform its gas and electricity market.