South Korea Endorses Safety of Japanese Fukushima Wastewater Release

South Korea's government has formally endorsed the safety of Japan's plans to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, based on a 22-month review by government-funded scientists and a green light from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

As public concerns persist, South Korean officials are actively working to reduce public unease about the wastewater release while Liberal opposition lawmakers vow an all-out fight against the Japanese discharge plans.

With the IAEA Director General willing to meet with South Korean opposition politicians to help ease public concerns, South Korea's assessment was partially based on observations by a team of government scientists who were allowed to tour the Fukushima plant in May.

As Japan's tanks are expected to reach their capacity of 1.37 million tons in early 2024, the safety of Fukushima’s wastewater has been a sensitive issue for years between the U.S. allies, who have been working in recent months to repair relations long strained over wartime historical grievances.