Korea to continue engaging in close communication with Japan over Fukushima water release

Social Affairs

Published: 21 Aug. 2023, 20:25 Updated: 22 Aug. 2023, 13:22

Korea to continue engaging in close communication with Japan over Fukushima water release

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The government said Monday that it will continue to engage in close diplomatic communication with the Japanese government regarding the discharge of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"As we have previously explained, our government has consistently emphasized the importance of transparency in decision-making and the sharing of information," Park Ku-yeon, deputy chief of the office for government policy coordination, said in response to questions about whether the Korean government had approached its Japanese counterpart regarding a scheduled meeting on Tuesday to determine the specific date for discharging the treated water from the nuclear power plant.

"Surely, the Japanese government has comprehended our request," Park added. "Therefore, I anticipate that the Japanese government will take steps in line with these principles."

Park further mentioned that the Korean government, led by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, has already completed scientific and technological assessments of Japan's initial release plan.

"Our government's official position or final decision will be announced unless there are any changes to the initial plans," Park said.

Park Ku-yeon, Deputy Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, second from left, answers question during the daily briefing on Monday at the government complex in Seoul. [YONHAP]

According to a report from NHK, a Japanese public broadcaster, on Monday, the Japanese government initiated measures toward releasing the treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant on Thursday.

As part of these actions, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting with Japanese fishers on Monday, during which he noted that there had been "progress" to a certain extent.

He also said that the Japanese government is in the "final stages of preparation to commence the release as soon as possible after Thursday."

The report also indicated that relevant government ministers are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to determine the release date.

Kishida visited the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Sunday on his return from a trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Camp David.

During his visit to Washington, Kishida told reporters that Tokyo is in the "final stage" of procedures before deciding on the timing of the water release.

Japan's planned discharge of radioactive water was not discussed at the summit, according to a Korean presidential official.

The Korean government has been holding daily briefings regarding the Fukushima nuclear power plant's planned treated water discharge since June.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]