Government Strengthens Origin Labeling for Japanese Seafood... IAEA Report Verification Deferred

"Internal Review Report, Expedite Presentation Timing as Much as Possible"

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced a final report stating that Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant meets international safety standards. In response, the government has announced a significant strengthening of origin inspections on seafood imports from Japan. Given that the volume of Japanese seafood imports reached 10,610 tons in the first half of this year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, local governments, the Coast Guard, and honorary inspectors will mobilize the maximum available personnel to intensively crack down on origin labeling for 100 days.

On the 5th, Park Seong-hoon, Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, said at a daily briefing on the Fukushima contaminated water discharge held at the Government Seoul Office, "We will conduct an unprecedented level of high-intensity origin inspections for 100 days so that the public can trust and purchase safe domestic seafood," adding, "If violations are found, strict penalties will be applied." Specifically, the government and local authorities will operate a two-track inspection system, visiting import seafood handling companies, including those dealing with Japanese products, at least three times to thoroughly enforce origin labeling.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Government Holds Off on Position Regarding IAEA Final Report... Likely to Announce After Meeting with Director General from July 7-9

The government has postponed announcing its comprehensive position on the IAEA final report. Citing that it is "preparing its own review report," this move is interpreted as a pace adjustment considering public opposition to the contaminated water discharge. Since the government has previously expressed trust in the IAEA verification through joint briefings, it is unlikely that the review report will overturn the IAEA's verification results.

Park Gu-yeon, First Deputy Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, stated at the briefing, "We are making every effort to expedite the release of our government's own comprehensive scientific and technical review report," adding, "Once the review is complete, we will promptly deliver it." The government had initially planned to release a press reference material on the IAEA final report on the morning of the same day but abruptly canceled it and is taking a cautious approach by consolidating it with the government's own report release.

Accordingly, it is highly likely that after listening to explanations from Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, who will visit Korea from July 7 to 9, the government will announce its own review report results and final position. During this meeting, the IAEA and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission will share technical details about the Fukushima discharge facilities. The government's own review report is expected to include discharge inspection details, separate analyses of raw data secured by the Fukushima inspection team, and inspection details of the Japanese side's discharge facility test runs. The government has stated that if errors or corrective actions are needed in the IAEA final report verification, it will immediately request supplementation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Self-Verification of Discharge Plan Since 2021... Own Report to Be Released Soon

The Korean government began examining Japan's Fukushima contaminated water discharge plan in August 2021. After conducting its own scientific and technical review, an agreement was reached during the Korea-Japan summit on May 7 to dispatch a Korean nuclear inspection team. On May 22, 21 experts conducted a 5-night, 6-day inspection of the nuclear plant site and key equipment.

As concerns about Japan's discharge plan grew, the government began actively responding to public opinion. The turning point was the National Assembly's government questioning session on June 12. At that time, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties questioned the impact of the contaminated water discharge and the ban on Japanese seafood imports. Particularly, lawmakers from both sides urged Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to "make greater efforts to alleviate public anxiety."

In response, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Nuclear Safety and Security Commission began daily briefings on the Fukushima contaminated water discharge from June 15. Through these briefings, the government announced doubling the number of marine radioactivity survey points, emergency radioactivity investigations at 20 domestic beaches, and the decision to release 400 tons of solar salt. When criticized for potentially representing the Japanese government, the government strongly defended its position, even calling such claims "insulting." The government maintains its stance to uphold the ban on seafood imports.

IAEA Concludes Japan's Contaminated Water Meets 'Safety Standards'... Korea Included in Task Force

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced yesterday that Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean complies with international safety standards. Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, stated in the final report submitted to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, "The controlled, gradual discharge of treated water (the official Japanese term for contaminated water) into the sea results in radiation impacts on people and the environment that are negligible." At a subsequent press conference, Director General Grossi explained, "We evaluated this over two years," and "The suitability of the discharge is certain and technically reliable."

The report was prepared over about two years by a task force (TF) composed of experts from 11 countries. The 11 countries participating in the TF include Korea, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Argentina, and the Marshall Islands. From Korea, Kim Hong-seok, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, participated.

The Japanese government plans to decide the specific timing of the discharge soon. Having effectively gained international consent, Japan is expected to filter radioactive substances through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) and dilute tritium, which cannot be removed by ALPS, with seawater to reduce its concentration below the standard before discharge.

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