Incheon City has confirmed the safety of its water quality through an internal investigation amid concerns about a potential inflow of North Korean nuclear wastewater.
On Tuesday, Mayor of Incheon Yoo Jeong Bok received a report from the Institute of Health and Environment detailing the analysis of seawater samples. The results showed that all radiation levels were within normal ranges.
Samples were collected from three locations starting from July 3rd: the southwestern sea area near Jumondo Island, the southern end of Gyodong Bridge, and the northern waters of Seogeomdo Island.
Yoo stated that the situation people were concerned about has not materialized, emphasizing the ongoing effort to continue vigilant monitoring.
Previously, nationwide concerns escalated in South Korea following allegations of illegal nuclear wastewater discharge from a uranium refining plant in Pyongsan County, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. Despite the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission’s announcement confirming normal levels at 244 monitoring sites across the country, public anxiety remained high.
In response, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries launched a special investigation on July 4th. The analysis results are expected to be released in approximately two weeks.
Incheon City took proactive measures, acting ahead of the central government. Immediately following the controversy, Yoo issued an emergency directive for a city-level investigation.
Yoo urged the swift establishment of a special team to monitor the West Sea environment. He also requested the deployment of additional mobile radiation monitoring equipment in waters near Incheon. Furthermore, he proposed to Gyeonggi Province that joint investigations be expanded to include the Paju and Gimpo areas.
Yoo also raised concerns about North Korea’s lack of transparency.
He emphasized that the information asymmetry poses a threat to civil safety. He strongly urged North Korea to cooperate in a joint investigation with South Korea or international organizations. Yoo further emphasized the authorities’ commitment to focus administrative resources on mitigating external threats and ensuring the well-being of citizens until they feel secure.