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Japan plans to release into the ocean the 1.33 million metric tons of radioactive water stored in tanks, shown here, at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant over the course of 30 years. (AP/Yonhap)

Japan is systematically moving forward with plans to release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant by the end of the month. There are reports circulating that Japan aims to obtain support from South Korea and the United States for the discharge during an upcoming trilateral summit scheduled to occur just before the release. In the face of domestic and international opposition, Japan appears to be seeking to justify its discharge of the water by securing the “approval” of South Korea and the US. The South Korean government must take a clear stance to avoid becoming complicit in this act.

Japanese media reported that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will finalize the timing of the release of 1.33 million metric tons of contaminated water following the trilateral summit on Aug. 18 at Camp David, a US presidential retreat near Washington, DC. The release will then reportedly commence at the end of the month.

Kishida plans to meet individually with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and US President Joe Biden, presenting supposedly scientific evidence of the water’s safety to gain their support. Thus, the Japanese government appears to be persisting in its efforts to secure backing for the discharge from South Korea and the US at the summit and quell opposition to the plan.

The Japanese government is shamelessly attempting to exploit the summit to show that it has the endorsement of the South Korean government without even responsibly addressing Korean citizens' concerns about the water’s release. The upcoming summit is being held to share information in real-time on North Korean missiles and to strengthen cooperation on supply chains, including the launch of an economic security dialogue. Yet, apprehensions are growing, not just about the contaminated water issue, but also about the deepening alignment between South Korea, the US, and Japan against North Korea, China, and Russia.

If South Korea condones the water’s release, it could cast an even more negative shadow over the entire summit. This fear is justified, considering how Yoon and his administration have actively supported Japan's plans, dismissing questions and concerns from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea and the public as “unscientific” and “false.”

With the world's eyes on this summit, if Yoon concedes to Japan's “explanation” of the safety of the contaminated water, South Korea may inadvertently be held partly responsible for any resulting environmental or health-related consequences. Yoon should articulate the concerns of the Korean people and urge Japan to delay the release, and Japan must cease its unreasonable efforts to use the summit as a platform to legitimize the release of the contaminated water.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]