South Korea's government has officially endorsed the safety of Japan's plans to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The endorsement comes after a 22-month review by government-funded scientists and aligns with the International Atomic Energy Agency's views. South Korea's assessment focused on the impact of the wastewater release on its own waters, which was found to be insignificant. The government has been actively working to calm public fears about food contamination, including expanding radiation tests on fish imported from Japan or caught in nearby seas. However, public concerns remain, and retailers have reported an increase in sea salt sales as consumers stock up ahead of the release. Liberal opposition lawmakers have pledged to fight against the Japanese discharge plans, accusing the government of risking the nation's health to improve relations with Tokyo. Despite these concerns, South Korean government officials and scientists maintain that the contamination levels of the Fukushima plant's wastewater will be within acceptable safety standards as long as the treatment systems work as designed. The issue of Fukushima's wastewater has been a sensitive one between South Korea and Japan for years, as the two countries work to repair relations strained over historical grievances and address shared concerns like North Korea's nuclear threat and China's foreign policy. Japan first announced plans to discharge the treated water into the sea in 2018, with the process expected to take decades to complete.
Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:33:40 GMT | ABC News