Kim Sung Hwan, the nominee for South Korea’s Minister of Environment, addressed concerns about radioactive-contaminated water flowing from a uranium processing plant in North Korea’s Pyongsan County, North Hwanghae Province, into the Yellow Sea via the Ryesong River. He stated that this issue directly impacts public health and safety, so it must be addressed with the same rigor as the Fukushima contaminated water situation.
During a confirmation hearing before the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee on Tuesday, Kim responded to questions from Song Eon-seog, the emergency committee chair and floor leader of the People Power Party. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling for both international cooperation and science-based verification processes. Kim added that the Ministry of Environment would swiftly review necessary measures with relevant departments once the investigation results become available.
Kim pointed out that when dealing with the release of contaminated water from Fukushima, the government established clear standards and implemented a proactive monitoring system. He insisted on applying the same approach to North Korea’s situation, stressing that nuclear-contaminated water issues transcend political and diplomatic debates. Kim asserted that this directly affects the citizens’ lives and requires even more stringent handling.
The government is currently conducting environmental sample investigations, focusing on border areas such as the mouth of the Ryesong River and the Han River basin. The Ministry of Unification confirmed that ongoing detailed investigations are being conducted to detect uranium, cesium, and heavy metals.
Kim emphasized the importance of science-based responses rooted in investigation results. He pledged to strengthen radiation monitoring systems to minimize public anxiety if necessary, similar to measures taken during the Fukushima incident.
Earlier, Seoul and Gyeonggi Province reported that their independent radiation investigations found no radioactive materials in water or seafood from border areas. Seoul officials stated that no cesium has been detected in the Han River over the past five years, with only trace amounts of iodine-131 found at some locations. Gyeonggi Province announced that all eight types of seafood sampled from the border area tested negative for radioactive materials, receiving a satisfactory rating.