An inspection team consisting of Korean experts visited Japan and held discussions with government officials in Japan on March 22 prior to the on-site visit regarding a plan to dilute the treated water accumulated at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to a substandard concentration and release it into the sea.
The Japan government plans to dilute the treated water containing tritium and other radioactive substances that accumulate at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to a concentration below the standard and release it into the sea, and TEPCO is preparing to start releasing it by around this summer.
Regarding this plan, the governments of Japan and the ROK agreed at the summit meeting held on May 7 to dispatch a South Korean inspection team to the site, and an inspection team consisting of about 30 people, including officials from the South Korean Nuclear Safety Commission and marine environmental experts, has been visiting the Japan for six days from 21 to 6.
According to the people concerned, on the 22nd, a consultation was held between the inspection team and Japan government officials in Tokyo, and the Japan side explained the status of construction of the equipment used for the release.
The delegation will visit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant for two days from the 23rd to check the storage status of the treated water and the results of its analysis.
There have been concerns in South Korea about the plan to dilute the treated water and release it into the sea, and the Japan will explain the safety of the plan and seek understanding through this visit.
On the other hand, the Government of the Republic of Korea stated that the purpose of dispatching the inspection team was to "thoroughly confirm how it will affect the sea and marine products of the Republic of Korea and immediately implement necessary measures."
Governor of Fukushima Prefecture It is desirable to conduct this project based on the evaluation of international organizations
The Government of Japan has been evaluated by experts from the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency as an initiative to gain international understanding, and the Leaders' Declaration announced at the G7 Hiroshima Summit clearly stated that it supports the efforts of the IAEA.
Governor Uchibori of Fukushima Prefecture said at a press conference on the 22nd, "It is very important that each country supports the IAEA's efforts, and I believe that President Yoon of the Republic of Korea is also paying close attention to these efforts."
Regarding the ROK's visit, he stated, "The important thing is to firmly grasp the scientific facts and base discussions on the responses of international organizations as evaluated by the G7," and expressed the idea that it would be desirable for the visit to be conducted based on scientific facts and the evaluation of international organizations so far.