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SKorea, US Show Differences over Japan's Fukushima Plans

Reuters

   SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - South Korea raised concerns over Japan's decision
   to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant
   into the sea with visiting U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, its foreign
   ministry said, but Kerry reaffirmed Washington's confidence in the
   plan's transparency.

   Kerry arrived in Seoul on Saturday to discuss international efforts to
   tackle global warming on a trip that included a stop in China ahead of
   President Joe Biden's virtual summit with world leaders on climate
   change on April 22-23.

   South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong sought to rally support
   behind the country's protest of the Fukushima plan at a dinner meeting
   with Kerry, the ministry said. Under the plan, more than 1 million tons
   of water will be discharged from the plant wrecked by an earthquake and
   tsunami in 2011 into the nearby sea off Japan's east coast.

   Seoul strongly rebuked the decision, with the foreign ministry
   summoning the Japanese ambassador and President Moon Jae-in ordering
   officials to explore petitioning an international court.

   "Minister Chung conveyed our government and people's serious concerns
   about Japan's decision, and asked the U.S. side to take interest and
   cooperate so that Japan will provide information in a more transparent
   and speedy manner," the ministry said in a statement.

   But Kerry, at a media roundtable on Sunday, said Tokyo had made the
   decision in a transparent manner and will continue following due
   procedures.

   "The United States is confident that the government of Japan is in very
   full consultations with the IAEA," he said, referring to the
   International Atomic Energy Agency.

   "The IAEA has set up a very rigorous process and I know that Japan has
   weighed all the options and the effects, and they've been very
   transparent about the decision and the process."

   The former U.S. secretary of state added that Washington would closely
   monitor Japan's implementation "like every country, to make certain
   there is no public health threat."

   The South Korean foreign ministry said Chung and Kerry also agreed to
   work together to boost international cooperation to achieve carbon
   neutrality by 2050, a goal pledged by South Korea, Europe and others.

   Kerry told the roundtable that Biden aims to urge countries to commit
   to more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets, including China,
   such as by revamping their power initiatives or speeding up transitions
   to renewable energy.

   The United States is expected to announce its own new emissions target
   for 2030 this week.

   "I think Korea has set an ambitious target and Korea is trying to do a
   lot, it's not easy for any country," Kerry said.

   "We need to be smarter, so do I think it's possible for additional
   steps? I do think there are some things that could happen."