Japan: "Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge to Begin This Spring or Summer"

Korea: "Disposal Must Comply with International Standards"

The Japanese government expects the start of ocean discharge to be "around this spring to summer" after the completion of facility construction and post-construction inspection by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] According to Kyodo News and others, the Japanese government held a meeting of relevant ministers on the morning of the 13th at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo regarding the discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The Japanese government expects the start of the marine discharge to be "from this spring to summer" after the completion of facility construction and post-construction inspection by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.

In response, a South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs official reportedly stated, "The government will continue to respond while maintaining the position that the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant must be disposed of in a manner that is safe from an objective and scientific perspective, prioritizing the health and safety of the public, and in accordance with relevant international laws and standards."

In April 2021, the Japanese government announced that considering the time when the contaminated water storage tanks would be full, it would dilute the contaminated water with seawater and discharge it into the sea in front of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant starting this spring.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, officially began construction of the discharge facilities in August last year. However, due to weather conditions, the completion of construction is delayed, and the discharge schedule is expected to be postponed somewhat from the original plan.

Additionally, the Japanese government has decided to establish a fund of 50 billion yen (approximately 480 billion won) for fishermen affected by the contaminated water discharge.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is verifying the safety of the contaminated water at the request of the Japanese government and plans to release a final report before the discharge.