Protestors from the Korean fisheries industry take part in a rally in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday, to criticize Tokyo's decision to discharge radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Experts raise doubt about effectiveness of legal action

By Kang Seung-woo

The government's plan to pursue legal action to prevent Japan from dumping tons of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean is being met with skepticism from experts who question the effectiveness of the move and the chances of winning the case.

Instead, many advise Seoul to join forces with other countries that will also be immediately affected by the contaminated water, including China, which has reacted strongly to Tokyo's decision, as they believe this would be more effective.

In response to the Japanese government's decision to release the contaminated water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, President Moon Jae-in instructed officials Wednesday to review taking the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The biggest stumbling block on the road to the international court would be that the government needs to be able to verify the damage from the radioactive water, that will be discharged two years from now, for up to 40 years. This was why Koo Yoon-cheol, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, failed to elaborate on the legal action during a press conference after an emergency vice-ministerial meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday, to discuss the government's position and measures in response to Japan's announcement.