S.Korea begins public briefings on Japan's nuclear waste release

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - South Korean authorities on Thursday began daily press briefings to keep the public informed on the planned release of contaminated water from Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The move came after heightened public concern as the nuclear power plant began trial operation of its discharge facility, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

"We will closely monitor the process and provide explanations regarding any unusual occurrences," the agency quoted Park Ku-yeon, first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, as saying.

Last month a team of experts from the South Korean capital Seoul visited Japan and did an inspection of the plant to check if the radioactive water can be treated to be safe enough.

Later the experts said meaningful progress was achieved but additional analysis is needed, according to the agency.

Last month South Korea’s leading opposition the Democratic Party (DP) launched a petition drive opposing Japan's intended discharge of radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, which has been non-operational from over a dozen years.

DP Chairman Lee Jae-Myung questioned how the president and ruling party can support Japan and grant them immunity and permission to dispose of hazardous nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

Japan unveiled the water discharge plan in April 2021, triggering massive criticism from China, South Korea, North Korea, the island nation of Taiwan, and international bodies, including the UN.

The US, however, backed the proposal, which came after years of talks on how to get rid of more than 1 million tons of water accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear complex since its 2011 meltdown after a massive earthquake and tsunami.

Despite pressure, Japan earlier this month began injecting seawater into a drainage tunnel of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant as a first step to release treated radioactive wastewater into the ocean.

- Kishida meets Palau’s president

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Wednesday met with the visiting Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., president of the island nation of Palau, and discussed ways to further strengthen their bilateral relationship.

"(Kishida) expressed his deep appreciation for Palau’s understanding and trust in Japan's sincere efforts to ensure the safety of ALPS treated water," said a statement issued by the country's Foreign Ministry, referring to the Advanced Liquid Processing System method.

Whipps said during his Wednesday visit to Fukushima that he was able to see firsthand and confirm the meticulous efforts that scientists and experts have been making to ensure the safety of ALPS-treated water.

"Palau believes in science, and this visit reemphasized the trust for what people in Japan have done to ensure people’s health and safety under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida," he said.