SEOUL – Diplomats from the Republic of Korea and Japan held working-level talks on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations, including the maritime survey near disputed islets and release of radioactive waste water into the ocean from Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The Japanese government planned to release about 1.25 million tons of nuclear waste water from Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean spanning 30 years from 2023
Lee Sang-ryol, director-general for Asian and Pacific affairs at the ROK's foreign ministry, met in Seoul with his Japanese counterpart Takehiro Funakoshi.
They reaffirmed views that the two countries need to rapidly improve bilateral ties, exchanging opinions on issues of mutual concerns such as the exchange of personnel.
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Regarding the maritime survey conducted by the ROK in its eastern waters near the disputed islets of Dokdo, called Takeshima in Japan, Lee stressed that Dokdo is the inherent ROK territory historically, geographically and by international law.
Lee told the Japanese diplomat that the ROK government can not accept any issue raised by the Japanese side over Seoul's legitimate activity done in accordance with the international law and domestic laws.
The Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency was forecast to continue its maritime survey near Dokdo until June 18.
Meanwhile, director-general-level officials of the ROK and Japan held a separate video conference earlier in the day to discuss issues on the handling of radioactive waste water from Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
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With relevant government officials in attendance, the two sides virtually held a briefing and a question-and-answer session over the safety of Japan's plan to dump the nuclear waste water into the Pacific Ocean.
While expressing its concerns about the plan, the ROK urged the Japanese side to take responsible measures that are safe from scientific perspective and comply with international laws and standards.
The two sides agreed to continue communication and consultations on the issue.
The Japanese government planned to release about 1.25 million tons of nuclear waste water from Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean spanning 30 years from 2023.