Campaign launched to oppose Japan's nuclear waste release

ISTANBUL

A signature campaign was launched in South Korea Friday to oppose Japan's intended discharge of radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The campaign was initiated by South Korea's leading opposition Democratic Party which was commended in the capital Seoul.

DP Chairman Lee Jae-Myung expressed his concerns, questioning how the president and the ruling party can support Japan and grant them immunity and permission to dispose of hazardous nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean that Korea is to suffer damage.

DP will "fight, together with the people," to keep our ocean waters clean and to ensure Korea's fisheries industry people do not suffer damage," Jae-Myung said. He announced that DP commenced a signature campaign as a "starting point."

A 21-member Korean expert delegation to Fukushima concluded their inspection of the facility on Thursday. The review of the collected data will continue once they return home.

The Korean delegation will announce the results of its investigation in June, said Yoo Guk Hee, chairman of the South Korean Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

The team examined 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.

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.