[Reporter’s Notebook] Overseas Experts’ Words Used in Nuclear Research Institute’s ‘Overstatement’

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), a government-funded research institution, is facing criticism for irresponsible performance that betrays its duty during a sensitive time. On the 15th, KAERI held a press briefing inviting Wade Allison, an emeritus professor at the University of Oxford in the UK. He defended Japan's stance on the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, even surprising the audience by saying, "You could even drink the contaminated water."

This is a sensitive moment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is scheduled to announce its investigation results in June, with the discharge planned for July. Public anxiety is escalating. Moreover, a government inspection team will be dispatched on the 23rd. This could directly lead to the approval of seafood imports, so it is a time when the government must do its utmost both internally and externally. However, at an event hosted by the most authoritative institution in Korea’s nuclear field, assurances of "safety" were made. Professor Allison’s conviction is already widely known and can be regarded as KAERI’s official stance. The dispatch of the inspection team has lost momentum. As a government-funded research institution, KAERI should have comprehensively considered its duty, diplomacy, national interests, and public sentiment.

It was also cowardly. In fact, it is not unreasonable to see Professor Allison as speaking on behalf of Joo Han-kyu, the current director of KAERI, who wanted to express similar views. Director Joo has actively made similar claims since his time as a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Seoul National University. Videos in which Director Joo directly filmed or appeared, claiming "Japan can be trusted" and "It is safe," still circulate on the internet. Many were curious about what stance KAERI would take after his appointment. Unexpectedly, they borrowed the voice of a foreign scholar. Did the courage he had as a Seoul National University professor disappear, making it burdensome to step forward directly?

We respect the academic convictions of Director Joo and Professor Allison. Let us believe that their confidence in nuclear safety is the product of scientific research. But can we confidently say the same about the Fukushima contaminated water? It was an unprecedented incident where nuclear fuel melted and flowed directly. Have any scientists, including these two, accurately grasped the actual condition of the contaminated water and objectively studied it? Moreover, the Japanese government has not properly disclosed information such as the types of radionuclides contained in the contaminated water. They have repeatedly lied, including hiding malfunctions of the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). The IAEA’s verification results have not yet been announced.

The public is extremely sensitive, and the issue is diplomatically tense. The words of Seo Kyun-ryeol, emeritus professor at Seoul National University, are more compelling: "If there is really no problem, then don’t discharge it?make beer out of it and drink it." KAERI has invited unnecessary controversy, distrust, and division of public opinion.

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