Japanese NRA meeting soon… Nuclear Safety and Security Commission “Wait for result notification”
Urge to prevent recurrence… “An active demanding attitude is needed.”
Regarding the accidental leak of contaminated water in which radioactive nuclides were not filtered out at the Fukushima nuclear power plant by Tokyo Electric Power Company, there are loud voices calling for a more proactive response from the Korean government. It is pointed out that we must move away from the attitude of relying only on ‘post-monitoring’ and ‘notification from Japan’, taking into account the risks that will arise in the mid- to long-term.
According to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission on the 20th, Japan’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NRA) will begin a meeting as early as this day based on the agenda reported regarding the Tokyo Electric Power Company leak.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission plans to review the results once it receives notification from the NRA of the results after the meeting. However, the position is that it is not known when and how notification will be made.
Previously, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission was criticized after it was revealed that it was discovered that about 5.5 tons (ton) of contaminated water that did not pass through the ALPS, a polynuclide removal facility, accidentally leaked from Tokyo Electric Power Company only 9 hours after the incident.
In relation to this, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said, “As it is not an issue that needs to be immediately reported to us by the NRA, it took time to receive information through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” adding, “Even though it was not released directly into the ocean, we are prepared for an emergency and will monitor domestic waters thereafter.” has been strengthened, but no significant changes (that pose a threat to safety) have been detected so far,” he said.
Domestic experts also believe that since this incident by Tokyo Electric Power Company did not result in direct discharge into the ocean, there is virtually no risk to Korea. According to Tokyo Electric Power Company’s own investigation results announced last time, the leaked contaminated water amounted to 15,000 tons, which is less than the previously expected 55,000 tons, and leaked into Japan, and even that exposed soil was immediately removed. It’s from.
However, it is pointed out that if the same accident is repeated in the future or the scale is large, we must consider the mid- to long-term impact on our waters. This is because contaminated water absorbed into the soil flows into the sea over a long period of time.
Experts pointed out that this incident requires a more proactive attitude from our government, including the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission. The explanation is that a passive stance such as relying only on reports from Japan or strengthening ‘post-event monitoring’ is not enough.
Currently, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has a system in place to receive immediate notification from the Japanese NRA regarding the release of contaminated water from Fukushima. It independently checks the concentration of radioactivity flowing into domestic waters in real time and shares the information with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, since leaks in Japan like this incident are not subject to notification in Japan, when an accident occurs, there is no choice but to take passive measures such as waiting for a report from the Japanese NRA or monitoring domestic waters.
In response, an official from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said, “As the Japanese government has no obligation to notify us of even matters that have been leaked internally rather than outside of Japan, we cannot force the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to notify us directly,” adding, “However, such incidents are unlikely to occur in the future.” “If something happens, we plan to request notification more quickly,” he said.
Previously, Yoo Kook-hee, chairman of the original plan committee, told reporters at a luncheon meeting on the 15th, “After Tokyo Electric Power Company became aware of the incident, we immediately inquired and confirmed with the NRA the circumstances, current situation, and future measures,” adding, “This matter is also being investigated by the NRA.” “I am waiting for a response,” he said.
Byung-seop Han, director of the Nuclear Safety Research Institute, pointed out, “The leak this time was small and we responded immediately, so it will not be a problem when it reaches Korea, but we do not know what impact it will have in the mid- to long-term 50 to 100 years from now.”
He continued, “It is not enough to resolve public anxiety by saying that there is no obligation to notify Japan every time, or that we wait until Japan does so,” adding, “We must make sure that the position of monitoring and watching does not sound like it represents Japan.” He urged, “It is time to take proactive measures to demand that public safety be the top priority.”
[세종=뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.