The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will regularly inform the Republic of Korea (ROK) about the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, under an agreement which stresses the importance of transparency to address public concern in the country, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.
With this aim, the two sides have agreed to establish the IAEA-ROK Fukushima Information Mechanism (IKFIM) a few days before Japan is expected to begin the water discharge, providing a framework for the flow of information, Director General Grossi said.
Under IKFIM, the IAEA - which last month set up a permanent office at Fukushima Daiichi to monitor and assess the water discharge to ensure that the relevant international safety standards continue to be applied - will provide up-to-date information to ROK and facilitate visits by the country's experts to the Agency's office at the site. It also includes an arrangement for notifications in case of abnormal events.
In addition, the IAEA will also publish available data for use by the global community, including near real-time monitoring data from the discharge.
Today's agreement between the IAEA and ROK is a concrete follow-up to the Director General's visit to the country in July to present the IAEA's comprehensive report on its independent safety review of Japan's plan to release the treated water into the ocean. The safety review concluded that Japan's plans are consistent with IAEA Safety Standards, which serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment. Meeting senior government officials as well as opposition lawmakers, Director General Grossi flew to Seoul immediately after his visit to Japan to personally explain the comprehensive report and answer questions.
"From the start of the IAEA's work in assessing the safety of the water discharge, I have pro-actively engaged with the Republic of Korea and other countries to keep them informed about our important activities in this regard. The only way to address legitimate concerns of the public is to keep them informed. Today's agreement emphasizes the importance of transparency in the coming weeks, months, and years," Director General Grossi said.
