South Korean government to start ”tritium testing of marine products” by the end of this year

The South Korean government plans to establish standards and methods for testing tritium on seafood products and begin testing by the end of this year. On the 19th, Vice Minister Park Sung Hoon of the South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Ministry) announced the
The statement was made at a regular press conference held at the government building regarding the release of radioactively treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. Vice Minister Park said, ``The specific method for testing tritium on seafood has not been decided yet.''
``Japan has developed its own testing methods and has been testing some marine products since the release of contaminated water (radiation-treated water).''
Regarding testing for plutonium in seafood products, ``The government is testing domestic seafood for plutonium, which is the most abundant source of plutonium released in the event of a radioactive spill.''
We are testing for cesium-137, cesium-134, and iodine-131, which are typical pollution indicator substances, and if even a trace amount of cesium is detected, we will further monitor plutonium.
” he said. Regarding the results of a marine radioactivity survey in the high seas of the northwest Pacific near Japan conducted last month, Vice Minister Park said, ``Cesium-134, cesium-137, and tritium were detected four times before being released.
The level is similar to that of the survey, and is significantly lower than the WHO (World Health Organization) drinking water standard."