• - Further cooperation with IAEA is being requested on IMO for the protection of marine environment -

Minister MOON, Seong-Hyeok of Oceans and Fisheries sent an official letter of request today to Secretary-General Lim Ki-taek of International Maritime Organization (IMO) in regard to the decision made by the Japanese government to release contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear power plant. The letter sent by the Minister conveys concerns of the people in Korea as well as areas for request on the release of contaminated water.

* IMO : Specialized Organization of the United Nations responsible for marine environment, maritime security, which deals with the norms on marine environmental protection, shipbuilding and shipping via 60 international agreements, including the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution (London Protocol, 1996) (Regular Member State : 174 countries, Associate Member State : 3 countries)

In the letter, Minister MOON cited, “The Japanese government’s unilateral decision to release nuclear contaminated water is much concerning, as it has neither gone through prior consultations with its closest neighboring country, the Republic of Korea, nor has garnered wide acceptance. It runs the risk that the contaminated water will pose a severe threat to the safety of countries in the Pacific Ocean as well as the marine environment. Thus, the contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear power plant must be dealt in consistent with the objectives of the London Protocol, which stipulates that ‘Marine environment must be protected and preserved from all sorts of pollutants’.”

The letter also requested “As an international organization which leads further discussion on marine environment, IMO is asked to consider working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that contaminated water from the nuclear power plant be dealt in a manner acceptable by the international community.”

The letter will be delivered directly to the Secretary-General of IMO, via Korean Embassy in the UK, with much expectation that it evokes the global interest in the discharge of the contaminated water once circulated to the member states of IMO.

Earlier at the Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention as well as London Protocol in 2019 and 2020, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries keenly requested the Japanese government to actively share information on treatment of the contaminated water and proceed prior consultation with its neighboring countries, drawing agreements from China, Chile, Canada and others.

The Ministry will remain determined to discuss the issue of contaminated water at the Fukushima nuclear power plant at this year’s Compliance Group Meeting as well as Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and London Protocol scheduled in October 2021.