Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Arbitrary Interpretation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Japanese media reported that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is showing a different response compared to the Moon Jae-in administration regarding the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean.
Japan's Jiji Press reported on the 18th in an article titled "No Opposition from South Korea to Nuclear Plant Treated Water Discharge According to International Standards," stating that "a South Korean Foreign Ministry official said, 'We will do our best to take necessary measures to ensure that the discharge of contaminated water by Tokyo Electric Power Company is handled safely from an objective and scientific perspective, in accordance with international law and standards.'"
The report then focused on the difference in responses between the Moon Jae-in and Yoon Suk-yeol administrations. The media explained, "While the Moon administration opposed the ocean discharge of contaminated water itself, the Yoon administration's Foreign Ministry appears to be planning to continue consultations with Japan on the premise of discharge."
It added, "This seems to reflect the Yoon administration's eagerness to improve Korea-Japan relations, resulting in a softer response."
However, the Foreign Ministry responded by calling it "an arbitrary interpretation by Japanese media," stating, "The Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water issue is a matter concerning the health and safety of our people, and the government is taking it very seriously."
It continued, "Our government has consistently emphasized that contaminated water must be disposed of safely in a manner that complies with international law and standards and does not harm people or the environment. We will continue to actively respond to the contaminated water issue with the health and safety of our people as the top priority."
Meanwhile, on the 18th, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved the decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. The authority plans to complete a one-month public comment period by July 17 and then formally authorize the ocean discharge plan.
Tokyo Electric Power Company plans to purify the contaminated water containing radioactive materials using the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) and dilute it more than 100 times with seawater before releasing it into the ocean. Although Japan refers to the contaminated water as "treated water" because it undergoes this process, tritium is not removed even after purification with ALPS.
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