Japan's 'Contaminated Water Discharge' Justification?... Eyes on the Korea-Japan Summit Meeting

Noh "Must Declare Opposition to Contaminated Water in Front of Japanese Prime Minister"
Japan Strengthens Voice Thanks to IAEA Report

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has released a report stating that the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima meets emission standards, bolstering the Japanese government's plan to release the contaminated water. Meanwhile, political attention is focused on the upcoming South Korea-Japan summit. Although the two countries are still coordinating the summit, if it takes place, there is a possibility that the major issue of contaminated water discharge will be addressed.

The Democratic Party urged President Yoon Suk-yeol to clearly express opposition to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant if the South Korea-Japan summit is held. On the 7th, Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized, "Declare a firm stance against the dumping of contaminated water in front of the Japanese Prime Minister," adding, "It should also be made clear that 85% of our citizens oppose the dumping of contaminated water."

President Yoon Suk-yeol will depart to attend the NATO summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on June 11-12. Taking this opportunity, a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is being coordinated.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Korea-Japan summit held on May 21 at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park International Conference Hall. Photo by Yonhap News.

If the South Korea-Japan summit is realized, there is a high possibility that the major issue of contaminated water discharge will be discussed. If the summit takes place, the two leaders will meet again about two months after the G7 summit in Hiroshima last May. During this period, a verification report, which can be seen as an 'objective and scientific verification' as claimed by the presidential office at the time, was released.

From May 22 to 26, a South Korean inspection team dispatched by the government inspected the contaminated water treatment process at Fukushima. Additionally, on June 4, the IAEA announced in its final verification report that "Tokyo Electric Power Company's plan to discharge contaminated water complies with international safety standards," and that "the radioactive impact of the contaminated water discharge on humans and the environment will be minimal."

The South Korean government also announced its independent verification results on the same day, stating that "if Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water is properly followed, it meets emission standards and targets and complies with international standards such as those of the IAEA."

The Japanese government stated that the bilateral summit is still being coordinated and that "nothing has been decided at this point," but there is growing speculation that discussions related to the contaminated water discharge may be raised at the South Korea-Japan summit. Previously, the Japanese government had declared its policy to persuade the international community regarding the safety of the ocean discharge of contaminated water and to promote the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products as an important task.

A presidential office official also responded on the 6th during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office to a reporter's question about reports from Japan that "Japan will explain its position on contaminated water at the South Korea-Japan summit," saying, "We do not discuss the agenda in advance," but added, "If the South Korea-Japan summit is held, the Fukushima treated water issue may come up."

He continued, "The Japanese Prime Minister said he would pursue measures to alleviate concerns about the health and safety of the Japanese people and their close neighbors," adding, "If there are remarks from the Japanese side, they will be made under the principle of prioritizing the health of our citizens."

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