Government to Conduct Joint Inspection on North Korean Uranium Plant Wastewater on July 4

Field Investigation to Be Expanded Compared to 2019
More Thorough and Extensive Inspection Planned This Year

The government will conduct a joint on-site inspection by relevant ministries on July 4 concerning the wastewater issue at the Pyongsan uranium milling plant in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. This action is in response to allegations that untreated wastewater from the North is flowing into the West Sea near Ganghwa Island via the Yesong River.

On July 3, the government announced that this decision was made during a meeting of relevant ministries chaired by the Director-General for Unification Policy at the Ministry of Unification. The meeting was attended by officials from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of National Defense, and the National Intelligence Service.

This special inspection will focus on 10 key points, including Ganghwa Island and the Han River estuary, which are closest to the Yesong River estuary where water from North Korea enters. The investigation will check for radioactive and heavy metal contamination, including uranium and cesium. All results will be transparently disclosed after an analysis period of approximately two weeks.

North Korea missile launch. Related to North Korea. Defectors, etc. Ministry of Unification data photo. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

The government also announced that this inspection will be more extensive and thorough compared to 2019. Accordingly, the number of inspection points has been increased from six in 2019 to ten this year, and the scope of the investigation has been expanded from uranium to include uranium, cesium, and heavy metals. The participating agencies have also been expanded from only the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to now include the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment.

The government stated, "This will not be a one-time inspection, but rather, we will establish a regular monitoring system by continuing monthly surveillance for the time being. We will also maintain continuous operation of the inter-ministerial consultative body and communicate as needed in order to respond immediately to public concerns." The government further added, "Through cooperation among relevant agencies, we are closely monitoring and analyzing trends related to North Korea's nuclear activities, including the Pyongsan uranium milling plant. The relevant ministries will continue to work together closely to ensure that there are no concerns regarding the health and safety of our citizens or the environment."