Japanese Protests Release Contaminated Water PLTN Fukushima, South Korea Will Submit Complaints To IMO

JAKARTA - Last week, Japan began releasing radioactive water from PLTN Fukushima Daiichi, which was paralyzed by major earthquakes and tsunamis in 2011, into the ocean.

In response, South Korea will 'firmly' file a complaint against Japan against the International Maritime Organization (IMO) if Tokyo does not follow the initial plan regarding the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (PLTN).

This was conveyed by the South Korean ministry of marine on Friday, September 1. All parties look forward to whether this issue will be discussed in the framework meeting of the London Convention and Protocol under the IMO.

South Korea has asked for discussions on the possible impact of releasing Fukushima water on the marine environment under the framework, while Japan rejected the request.

The Japanese government said that the release of Fukushima water should not be considered a disposal of waste into the sea.

"The government is reviewing details and strategies regarding possible discussions. We firmly file a complaint with IMO or seek ways to resolve other international disputes if Japan makes the release in a different way from the previous promise," South Korean Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs Park Sung-hoon told reporters about the issue quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, September 2.

According to documents made after the London Protocol meeting in 2022, IMO said it was "not sure" that a broad interpretation of the London Protocol would consider the disposal (fukushima water) to be included in the scope of the agreement, and member states also had different interpretations.

The London Convention, which has been in effect since 1975, is intended to improve effective control for all sources of marine pollution and to take steps to prevent marine pollution by disposing of waste and others.

In 1996, the London Protocol was approved to modernize the Convention, and the agreement banned all types of disposal into the sea, with several exceptions.

IMO Secretary-General Lim Ki-taek told a news conference in Seoul in June that related parties could discuss policy measures on the issue of Fukushima at the upcoming meeting, and the IMO was reviewing the steps it could take.