South Korea has criticized Japan over concerns it's planning to release radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.<br />A senior South Korean official warned that, if Japan decides to release the water,... it would be a "grave international issue."<br />Lee Seung-jae reports. <br /> Speaking at the IAEA General Assembly on Monday,... South Korea's First Vice Minister of Science and Information and Communication Technology Moon Mi-ok slammed Japan over reports it was planning to release radioactive wastewater from Fukushima into the sea.<br />The minister said that, if the highly-contaminated water is discharged,... it would shift from a domestic Japanese problem to a global one.<br /><br />"However, Japanese government officials recently started to state that marine discharges are inevitable as a way to deal with Fukushima contaminated water. In case when it is discharged into ocean management of Fukushima contaminated water is no longer Japan's domestic problem, but a grave international issue that can affect the whole global marine environment." <br /><br /> She also urged the IAEA to work closely with Japan in dealing with the contaminated water,... just as they have been in regards to the Fukushima accident.<br />But the South Korean official said what's more important,... is Tokyo's role in taking responsibility for the water.<br /><br />"What we need the most is that Japan should take some substantive and transparent measures and actions. This also (needs to) be done for health, safety and environment protection." <br /><br /> In response to South Korea's warnings,... the Japanese Ambassador to the IAEA insisted the decision to release the contaminated wastewater hasn't been reached yet.<br /><br />"The remarks made by a former member of cabinet were expressed as his personal opinion. In fact, the governmental subcommittee on handling (inaudible) water has been examining the issue in a comprehensive manner, including countermeasures for the reputational damage. The committee has not reached any concrete conclusion." <br /><br /> Japan has been storing contaminated water from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster,... but could run out of space by 2022. <br />Concerns are rising that Tokyo could release the water into the Pacific,... a move that could trigger an environmental disaster.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News. <br />
