Busan City Ensures Safety of Seawater and Seafood Even After Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge

Scientific Data-Based Marine and Seafood Radioactivity Monitoring and Analysis System

Real-Time Disclosure of Radioactivity Tests on Seawater and Seafood Across 1,783 Transmission Media

Busan City operates a radiation monitoring and analysis system based on scientific data regarding Busan's sea and seafood, and announced that even one month after the Fukushima contaminated water discharge on August 24, radiation test and analysis results show that seawater and seafood are 'safe.'

The city is implementing double and triple verification procedures for seawater and seafood, which directly affect citizens' health and safety due to the contaminated water discharge, and is focusing its efforts on delivering accurate information.

To verify the safety of seawater radiation, inspections and analyses were conducted at 23 radiation survey points in the city's waters, confirming that they are 'safe' regardless of the contaminated water discharge.

Ten coastal seawater sites showed levels far below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards, indicating that Busan's coastal waters remain 'safe' even after the discharge.

The ten coastal seawater sites are Haeundae, Gwangalli, Dadaepo, Imrang, Ilgwang, Songjeong, Songdo, Gori Nuclear Power Plant, Oryukdo, and Daebyeon.

Radiation was not detected at six rapid unmanned monitoring stations that check seawater radiation every 15 minutes, confirming they are 'safe.'

The six rapid unmanned monitoring stations are Munjung Breakwater, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Namcheon Port, Suyeong Bay Yacht Stadium, International Passenger Terminal, and Fisheries Resources Research Institute.

Seven radiation survey points in Busan waters monitored by the government are also 'safe.'

The seven radiation survey points include five locations under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and two under the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

To strengthen the safety of seafood, the city meticulously inspects and closely monitors radiation at the import, production, and distribution stages, confirming that seafood is 'safe' regardless of the contaminated water discharge.

At the import stage, seafood imports from eight nearby prefectures including Fukushima Prefecture in Japan are banned, and radiation is tested for all other Japanese seafood imports; if any radiation is detected, imports are blocked.

At the production stage before seafood is distributed to consumers and at the distribution stage where consumers purchase seafood, a total of 1,049 tests were conducted by September 15 this year, all confirming 'safety.'

Additionally, to thoroughly manage the safety of seafood and other food items, the city has expanded the list of items and personnel for origin labeling enforcement and is increasing the number of distribution-traceability management items to prevent the mislabeling of imported seafood as domestic products.

The city transparently discloses safety information and radiation monitoring and analysis results of Busan's sea and seafood in real time using 1,783 communication media.

The 1,783 communication media include 15 outdoor electronic billboards, 124 text-type electronic billboards (disaster, district, traffic), 1,156 in urban rail (inside trains and stations), 400 on buses (bus information displays, BRT shelters), and 28 IPTV channels.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun stated, “Prioritizing citizens' health and safety, we will further strengthen radiation monitoring and analysis by installing additional seawater and seafood radiation analysis equipment, and we will maintain vigilance to ensure that the current contaminated water response system operates flawlessly in the future. Citizens can confidently consume seafood that has been scientifically and objectively verified as safe.”

Busan City Hall.