Jeong Eui-yong Conveys 'Concerns Over Contaminated Water'... Kerry Says "U.S. Involvement in Process Is Inappropriate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong conveyed concerns about the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant to John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, but Special Envoy Kerry dismissed U.S. involvement, stating, "Japan has been working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and I am confident they will continue to do so."

During a press briefing held at a hotel in downtown Seoul on the morning of the 18th, Special Envoy Kerry, who was visiting Korea, was asked whether the U.S. shares concerns with Korea regarding the Fukushima contaminated water and whether it intends to persuade Japan. He responded, "The key point is that Japan continues to coordinate with the IAEA throughout the (discharge) process."

He added, "The U.S. is confident that the Japanese government has sufficiently consulted with the IAEA and that the IAEA has established very strict (discharge) procedures," and said, "Japan has weighed its options and the impacts."

When asked if the U.S. could play a role in ensuring Japan provides sufficient information to Korea, he said, "We need to observe how this progresses and how Japan acts, but there are no immediate plans to take a role," adding, "The U.S. is already involved, and it is not appropriate to intervene in a process that has very clear rules and expectations."

Although Minister Chung expressed concerns about the Japanese government's decision to discharge Fukushima contaminated water during his meeting with Special Envoy Kerry the previous day, the U.S. side essentially indicated that it would not intervene if there are no issues during the IAEA verification process.

Regarding whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the climate summit, he said, "We earnestly hope President Xi will attend," adding, "The decision is up to China." Special Envoy Kerry previously visited China on the 15th and held discussions with senior Chinese officials on climate change issues. It appears that the matter of President Xi attending the climate summit, which will be held virtually starting on the 22nd, was also discussed during that visit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.