Japan Has Yet To Specify Information On Fukushima's Radioactive Water To Be Dumped, Korean Scientists Worry

JAKARTA - A group of South Korean nuclear researchers from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute on Tuesday asked Japan to withdraw its decision to release contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

On Tuesday last week, Japan announced its decision to release about 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water from the power plant into the Pacific Ocean, citing potential health risks.

The statement drew concern from South Korea and China, two of Japan's neighbors who are concerned about the health and environmental impacts of Japan's decision.

A group of nuclear experts from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute said Japan had not yet provided specific information about the plan to the international community. These experts also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the decision on Japan's neighbors.

"The Japanese government should cancel its plans to release radioactive water into the sea," the researchers said in a statement, reported by the Korea Times, Tuesday, April 20.

"In order to scientifically predict the timing and degree of impact of water discharges on South Korea, there is an urgent need to obtain data on contaminated water that is verified by the international community," they explained.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Science Ministry said it would immediately analyze the impact of releasing radioactive water on South Korea, once Japan has laid out a detailed plan.

For information, Japan said it would cooperate with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to release radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Japan also suggested South Korea could take part in the IAEA monitoring team.

On Monday, South Korea's Foreign Minister said that Gingseng Country had little reason to reject Japan's plan if it followed IAEA standards regarding the process of discharging radioactive water.