Operators of the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) in Ulsan City ordered a temporary stop to the construction of nuclear plant to give investigators a chance to conduct a thorough investigation after three workers died on Friday.

The three employees became unconscious while at the construction site and were rushed to a hospital where they eventually died, reports Fox News.

Like Us on Facebook

Although KHNP has yet to identify the cause of the accident, nitrogen leak is suspected, said Choi Hee-ye, company spokeswoman, who also belied that the death of the three workers is linked with a threat made by hackers to disable the facility's controls if KHNP would not shutter three of its plants.

Another spokesman, Kim Sang-gyeong, explained that the plant uses nitrogen to reduce oxygen levels in cooling water. This slows the oxidation of the equipment or controls pressure levels in tanks.

The plant is slated to be completed in 2015.

The hacker stole last week personal data of employees of the nuclear plant as well as design of two plants which they published online. Despite the publication, KHNP said its plant's safety was not compromised.

While it didn't link the three deaths to the threat and the publication not affecting operations of KHNP, the company held drills on Monday and Tuesday so employees would be prepared, should the hackers succeed in attacking the facility.

The photos of the stolen documents from KHNP bore the words "WHO AIM I?" believed to be the name of the hackers.

Tagsnuclear plants, hacking