Japan rejects N.Korea claim on treated water release at Fukushima Daiichi plant

Japan has refuted North Korea's assertions at the UN General Assembly over the release of treated and diluted water into the ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song, delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Kim said, "Japan discharged nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean at long last, thus causing irrevocable damage to the safety of humanity and marine ecological environment."

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN Shino Mitsuko rejected the claims.

Shino said it has been confirmed that the concentration of nuclear materials, including tritium, in seawater and marine products is far below safety standards.

She said, "Japan will never allow any discharge that would adversely affect human health or the environment."

Shino added that the Japanese government will continue to explain its efforts to the international community in a transparent manner, and is willing to discuss the details based on scientific evidence.

The Fukushima Daiichi plant suffered a triple meltdown in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Water used to cool molten fuel has been mixing with rain and groundwater. The accumulated water is being treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium.

Before releasing the treated water into the sea, the plant's operator dilutes it to reduce tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230927_09/