[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Navy to Measure Marine Radioactive Contamination Starting This Year

Real-Time Measurement by Attaching to Mobile Measuring Device Trap at Year-End

The Navy will begin measuring marine radioactive contamination from the end of this year. Following the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s final report on the Fukushima contaminated water, the Japanese government's plan to discharge contaminated water into the ocean has effectively entered the 'countdown' phase, prompting plans to measure radiation in real time.

According to military officials on the 6th, the Navy plans to introduce about five mobile devices capable of real-time radiation monitoring in the ocean within this year. Currently, domestic small and medium-sized enterprises are manufacturing measurement devices for naval vessels, which are expected to be delivered to the Navy by the end of the year.

As of May, the total amount of contaminated water stored at the Fukushima nuclear power plant site is 1.33 million tons, and the Japanese government plans to discharge this into the ocean over approximately 30 years. Japan has tentatively set the timing for the ocean discharge of contaminated water for August and is conducting final preparations. It is anticipated that if Japan begins discharging contaminated water, it will reach the waters around the Korean Peninsula within 2 to 3 years.

Some express concerns that if naval vessels detect radiation after the discharge, it could affect military operations. Although there are desalination devices, they become useless if exposed to radiation. A desalination device is equipment on vessels that filters out salt and impurities from seawater for use as drinking water and other purposes. If radiation is detected, only the water on the vessel can be used. Destroyers have enough water for up to about 15 days. The Navy plans to shorten the vessel rotation cycle if radiation is detected, but operational losses are considered inevitable.

In response, the Navy stated, "Based on the results of a research project conducted in 2020, even if treated water from Fukushima is discharged, considering the regional currents and the time it takes to reach our operational waters, the impact on vessels is expected to be minimal." They added, "We will prioritize the safety of vessel crew members through manuals prepared for contingency situations."

Earlier, on the 4th, the IAEA announced that the Japanese government's plan to discharge contaminated water 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 and 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 it 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 South Korea, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Argentina, and the Marshall Islands. From South Korea, Kim Hong-seok, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, participated.

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