Government Sends Letter to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority Urging Thorough Review of Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water

Inquiry on Monitoring Measures with Additional Letter to be Sent on the 19th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Our government urged the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority to conduct an objective and independent review regarding the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) sent a letter containing this request to the Japanese regulatory authority on the 14th.

The NSSC conveyed the concerns of our citizens about Japan's decision and demanded that the Japanese regulatory authority objectively and independently review whether Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) contaminated water disposal plan complies with international standards. Furthermore, it urged the regulatory body to thoroughly monitor the implementation process of the disposal and to promptly and transparently share the results.

The NSSC will also send an additional inquiry on the 19th regarding the review procedures for TEPCO's contaminated water disposal plan and the monitoring measures at the regulatory agency level.

Until now, the seawater radioactivity analysis results, which were disclosed once a year in reports, will be made available on the NSSC website immediately after analysis completion at each site starting from mid-this month, so that the general public can easily check them.

Additionally, the NSSC plans to strengthen its preparedness by reinforcing the expertise and equipment of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, the agency responsible for seawater radioactivity analysis, to promptly respond to Japan's planned ocean discharge of contaminated water scheduled about two years from now, and to expand the monitoring frequency and locations.

Chairman Eom Jae-sik of the NSSC stated, "We will prioritize the safety of our citizens regarding the Japanese government's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant," adding, "We will closely monitor the surrounding marine environment and utilize all our capabilities to ensure the health and safety of our people."