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Planned Sampling Sites for the Joint Special Inspection by Government Ministries. (Source: Relevant Government Agencies) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The South Korean government announced on June 3 that it will conduct a special joint investigation in response to growing concerns over possible radioactive contamination caused by wastewater from North Korea’s Pyongsan uranium concentration plant.
At a meeting chaired by the Ministry of Unification’s Director-General for Unification Policy, officials from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of National Defense, and the National Intelligence Service agreed to carry out a field investigation starting June 4.
The joint task force will examine 10 sites—including the estuary of the Yesong River near Ganghwa Island and the Han River estuary—for traces of radioactive substances and heavy metals such as uranium and cesium. The number of sampling points has been expanded from six in 2019 to ten in this round of testing. Results will be made public after approximately two weeks of analysis.
The investigation’s scope has also been broadened to include heavy metals, and authorities plan to move beyond a one-time test by implementing monthly monitoring to establish a long-term surveillance system.
A government official emphasized, “Through interagency collaboration, we are closely monitoring and analyzing developments related to North Korea’s nuclear activities, including the Pyongsan uranium plant. We will continue our coordinated efforts to ensure the health, safety, and environmental security of the South Korean public.”
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
