Battle over the ``treated water issue'' in the South Korean National Assembly: Opposition parties ``reject'' the environment minister's ``positive explanation''

In a national audit conducted by the South Korean Ministry of Environment, the government, ruling party, and opposition parties engaged in a battle over the issue of radioactively treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant being released into the ocean.
On the 11th, during the National Policy Audit of the Ministry of Environment of the South Korean National Assembly's Committee on Environment and Labor, Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea,
He mentioned that Environment Minister Han Hwa-jin recently made a statement in the media stating, ``As a scholar, the release of contaminated water (radioactive treated water) has only a slight impact on our sea areas.''
We asked for views on the Agency for Disease Control's report. Recently, it was reported that the Disease Control Agency concealed the results of a study that said ``a long-term follow-up survey of the entire population regarding contaminated water is needed.''
It was. Regarding this, the Disease Control Agency explained, ``This is not a study or analysis of scientific safety, such as the dangers of contaminated water, but a preliminary study that examined literature and presented a basic methodology.''
There is. Rep. Woo asserted, ``Japan has not conducted an environmental impact assessment regarding contaminated water in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).'' Also, “The financial statements submitted by TEPCO to the Japanese authorities”
As a result of the analysis of the materials, it was found that the radiological environmental impact assessment regarding the release of contaminated water only analyzed the impact on a one-year basis."
In response, Environment Minister Han said, ``Japan will conduct a radiation environmental impact assessment and (herein)
This has been reflected in periodic impact assessments and is recognized by the international community." Lawmaker Woo pointed out, ``According to domestic regulations, radioactive waste must not be diluted in water,'' to which Environment Minister Han responded.
``The statement that ``no dilution is allowed'' applies to the treatment of general waste inside a nuclear power plant, and (contaminated water) is radioactive material in liquid form,'' he argued.
Controversy continues between Rep. Woo and Environment Minister Han over the dilution issue, and Rep. Woo
After the question and answer period ended, Environment and Labor Committee Chairman Park Jeong asked for an arrangement. However, Environment Minister Han asked for time to respond in order to explain the facts.
Party members loudly criticized him, and there was a moment of commotion in the hall. The issue of treated water was brought up again during a question and answer session by Kim YongJin, a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Rep. Kim asked, ``Is it okay to dilute the contaminated water from the nuclear power plant that caused the accident and throw it away?'' In response, Environment Minister Han responded, ``The provisions regarding the nuclear power plant that caused the accident.
No,” he replied. However, Environment Minister Han added, ``Diluting and releasing contaminated water is an international treatment method.''