Fukushima: South Korea challenges US over support for Japan’s plan to release radioactive water
- The US thanked Japan for its transparency in its planned release of treated water from the crippled nuclear power plant, but its neighbours have condemned the move
- Seoul has asked Washington to clarify its position, as it faces an emerging rift with its traditional ally and mounting anger at home against the discharge
“As far as we know, the only country in the world that has responded positively [to Japan’s decision] is the US,” said Chung in response to questions from lawmakers at a parliamentary hearing.
“We have asked the US to clearly clarify on what grounds the US has made such allegations concerning the points in which our thoughts are different from those of the US,” he said.
These points include the reasons the US believes Japan’s decision to release the water was made transparently; why the US calls the water “treated” instead of radioactive and contaminated; and why it says the move was made in accordance with international safety standards, Chung said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent shock waves through South Korea when he wrote on his Twitter account last week: “We thank Japan for its transparent efforts in its decision to dispose of the treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi site. We look forward to the Government of Japan’s continued coordination with the @iaeaorg.”
US climate envoy John Kerry, on an Asian trip to discuss global warming, on Saturday reaffirmed Washington’s confidence in the plan’s transparency.