South Korean experts inspect Japan's Fukushima power plant

ISTANBUL

A team of 21 experts from South Korea Tuesday began inspections at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant to check treated radioactive wastewater.

The team will examine facilities associated with the K4 tanks, which have been specifically designed for the storage and measurement of radioactive materials.

Japan plans to release treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, triggering opposition and concerns from local fishing communities and neighboring countries.

The inspected areas include an advanced liquid processing system that reduces non-tritium radioactive substances to levels below safety standards, along with water storage tanks.

Tokyo aims to remove South Korean concerns regarding the safety of the water discharge by conducting an inspection this week, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in a statement.

Addressing a press conference, Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Tokyo would like to provide thorough explanations and data.

Japan is “putting forward claims” that the contaminated water from the nuclear power plant, “if treated, is safe enough to drink,” Lee Jae-myung, opposition leader of South Korea, said on Monday.

Japan unveiled the water discharge plan in April 2021, triggering massive criticism from China, South Korea, North Korea, the island nation of Taiwan, and international bodies including the UN.

The US, however, backed the proposal, which came after years of talks on how to get rid of more than 1 million tons of water accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear complex since its meltdown after a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

Japan has pledged $600 million in funds for local fishing communities that have also voiced opposition to the move.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has conducted an assessment of the Japanese government’s proposal and is expected to release a comprehensive report.

The IAEA has also pledged to provide support before, during, and after the entire discharge process.