Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Promote Multilateral Diplomacy with International Organizations in Response to Japan's Contaminated Water

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 20th that it will engage in multilateral diplomacy through international organizations in response to the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean.

In the 'Report on the Status of the Decision to Discharge Contaminated Water from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Ocean' submitted to the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the morning of the same day, the Ministry stated that it will actively utilize multilateral diplomatic opportunities such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to publicize the problems with Japan's decision.

It further emphasized that it will actively strive to ensure scientific and objective verification that the international community can accept.

As a specific measure, the Ministry explained that it plans to dispatch Korean experts to the IAEA expert team that will objectively verify Japan's contaminated water disposal decision and promote the participation of Korean research institutions in the Japan-IAEA inter-comparison testing program.

Judicial responses, including referral to international dispute resolution procedures, are also being considered. This appears to be with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in mind.

President Moon Jae-in instructed at an internal Blue House meeting on the 14th, "Actively consider filing a case with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea along with provisional measures regarding Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant into the ocean."

Along with this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced a plan to convey to Japan the need for additional information provision and consultations separately from the IAEA verification process, stating, "(If Japan discharges the contaminated water) our country is expected to suffer the most direct damage."

The Ministry stated that the formation of the IAEA verification team requires an agreement between Japan and the IAEA, and that it will request that the dispatch of Korean experts to the IAEA verification process be ensured.

In addition, the Ministry plans to urge Korea's concerns and the interest of related countries through bilateral foreign ministerial talks targeting Pacific coastal countries that have concerns about damage caused by Japan's contaminated water discharge.