Affirming Neutrality, The IAEA Invites South Korea To Join The Fukushima Radioactive Water Verification Team

IAEA experts visiting Fukushima in 2013. (Wikimedia Commons / IAEA Imagebank)

JAKARTA - Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi hopes that South Korean nuclear experts will participate in monitoring the UN nuclear watchdog regarding the plan to release radioactive water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) by Japan.

This was conveyed in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, related to South Korea's involvement in the IAEA verification team, amid increasing concerns because radioactive water to be discharged into the Pacific Ocean contains Tritium.

"I hope so. There is a lot of talent in your country, especially in this area, where South Korea is one of the leading countries in the world, in the fields of nuclear energy, nuclear science, and nuclear technology", said Grossi, quoted from Korean Times, April 21.

"I am sure it will include a rich and strong team. The collaboration of experts from your country will be invaluable", Grossi added, adding that he would inform Seoul.

One of Seoul's concerns as well as a concern is that Tokyo has not yet detailed information regarding radioactive water that will be disposed of. Therefore, Seoul considers it necessary to be involved in the verification team.

Grossi emphasized that as an international technical body, his organization did not take sides in the issue of releasing radioactive water from Fukushima.

"The mission we have is, to ensure, to certify all operations before, during implementation, and after the assessment, in line with internationally recognized standards", he explained.

He added that the IAEA will send the first technical mission to Japan this year. And, he will visit Japan before the water discharge operation begins.

"It's all about how the IAEA can join this process, to ensure exactly when operations start, the water that is released into the sea doesn't have any harmful negative effects on the environment, water, and fish", he concluded.