SEOUL: North Korea has expressed strong criticism towards the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for approving Japan’s plan to discharge treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. The IAEA gave its endorsement to Tokyo’s proposal of releasing the treated water from the tsunami-damaged plant into the ocean over the course of several decades.
The plan has raised concerns among neighboring countries, leading China to impose restrictions on certain food imports and triggering protests in South Korea. North Korea, in an official statement from its environmental protection ministry carried by the Korean Central News Agency, argued that the release of the treated water would have a detrimental impact on human lives, security, and the ecological environment.
North Korea Terms IAEA Approval an “Unimaginable Act”
The statement specifically called out the IAEA for its support of Japan’s intended discharge of water contaminated with nuclear substances, deeming it an “unimaginable” act. Approximately 1.33 million cubic meters of groundwater, rainwater, and cooling water have accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear plant since multiple reactors suffered meltdowns after the 2011 tsunami overwhelmed their cooling systems.
The plant operator has treated the water to remove most radioactive elements, with the exception of tritium, and plans to dilute it before releasing it into the ocean over an extended period. Meanwhile, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi is concluding his visit to Seoul, where he met with opposition lawmakers critical of the planned discharge.
During his visit, Grossi also briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on the agency’s findings. Minister Park requested the IAEA’s active cooperation in verifying safety measures and providing public reassurance. In response, Grossi emphasized the IAEA’s commitment to overseeing the implementation of the plan and ensuring continuous monitoring at the Fukushima plant.
