North Korea criticises Fukushima water release, calls it ‘unforgivable crime against humanity’

Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) said the release began at 1:03pm local time (0403 GMT) and it had not identified any abnormalities.

An activist poses for a photograph during a protest against Japan's plan to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, at the national assembly in Seoul, South Korea, August 24, 2023 | Reuters

Seoul: North Korea said on Thursday Japan should immediately halt the release of wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, state media reported, hours after Japan began releasing treated water into the Pacific Ocean.

In a statement carried by the KCNA news agency, North Korea’s foreign ministry criticised the release, calling it an “unforgivable crime against humanity” that Japan will be held accountable for.

“Japan should immediately withdraw the dangerous release of radioactive wastewater which seriously threatens the lives, safety and the future of humanity,” the statement said.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Christina Fincher)

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