S. Korea Voices Concern over Radioactive Water Release into Sea

Berlin, Sept. 22 (Jiji Press)--South Korea expressed concern Tuesday over Japan's possible release of treated water containing radioactive tritium from the disaster-stricken nuclear plant into the sea. The release of the radioactive water at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s <9501> Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant could greatly impact the global marine environment, said Jeong Byung-seon, first vice minister at South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT. Japan should make explanations to South Korea and the international community before making a decision on the release, Jeong said in a recorded video message at a general meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. Jeong said the release needs a thorough study involving the IAEA of its medium- and long-term risk to the environment. In a video statement at the IAEA meeting on Monday, Japan's science and technology minister Shinji Inoue pledged to study how to dispose of the radioactive water while listening to advice from the organization and give the international community explanations. Inoue also said the IAEA had told Japan that releasing the radioactive water into the air in the form of vapor or into the ocean is technologically feasible and in line with international practice. END