IAEA Secretary General "Well Aware of Korea's Concerns... No Better Alternative Than Discharge"

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who visited Japan, is shaking hands with Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the 4th at the Ikura Embassy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo before their meeting.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on the 7th that he is well aware of the concerns in Korea regarding the contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, and expressed his desire to meet with opposition parties who oppose the discharge to discuss the matter.

Director General Grossi made these remarks at a press conference held by the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on the same day. He also indicated his intention to continue explaining the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue in Korea.

He added, "The program in Korea is still being coordinated," emphasizing, "I want to meet with opposition parties in Korea who oppose the contaminated water discharge and talk with those who have opinions."

Director General Grossi pointed out, "The IAEA is scientific and neutral," and stated, "We believe there is almost no possibility that the contaminated water will have cross-border effects." This reflects the IAEA's conclusion that Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water complies with international safety standards.

However, in response to concerns about opposition to the contaminated water discharge, he said, "People have different perspectives, and there will be those who absolutely cannot accept the IAEA's conclusion," stressing the importance of polite and sincere explanations.

Regarding the negative impact of tritium, a radioactive substance that cannot be removed even after passing through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), he said, "Tritium is everywhere, and the quantity is what matters." He claimed, "Tokyo Electric Power Company will dilute the contaminated water, and the amount of tritium contained will be very small."

When asked to predict the end point of the contaminated water discharge, which is expected to take 30 to 40 years, he did not provide a clear answer.

In response to a question about whether the IAEA's promise to verify every last drop of Fukushima contaminated water discharged into the sea can be upheld even after the change of the Director General, he replied, "Whether the successor is male or female, the activities will continue."

When asked if there is a better alternative to discharge, he answered firmly, "There is none." He added that while there are other methods, some alternatives are judged to be "industrially immature."

Regarding some opposition views that the contaminated water discharge is dangerous, Grossi said, "I believe there is a political environment," and noted, "These days, geopolitical divisions are very severe, so we cannot exclude such factors."

In response to media reports that the IAEA shared the draft comprehensive report with the Japanese government before its release, he strongly denied it, calling it "absurd," and said, "If we have drawn conclusions, they are our independent conclusions."

He is scheduled to visit Korea for a 2-night, 3-day trip from the 7th to the 9th.

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