1. Mr. Chung Keeyong, Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs, along with other relevant government agencies, had a virtual consultation on contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station with Mr. Juan Carlos Lentijo, Deputy Director General and head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., February 16 (Korea Standard Time).

2. Given that contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is a grave issue that could affect the safety and environment of the neighboring countries, including Korea, as well as the international community, the Korean side stressed that the IAEA needs to play an active role in ensuring transparency and verifying safety in the whole process of the disposal of the contaminated water by the Japanese government.

o The IAEA side mentioned that it clearly understands the significance of the issue and that, as an independent international organization, it will continue efforts to make sure that all decisions and measures regarding the disposal of the contaminated water are taken appropriately.

3. The Korean government will continue to make diplomatic efforts through close communication with the Japanese government and the international community in order to ensure that the Japanese government complies with environmental standards acceptable to the international community, and that the international community participates in the process of objectively verifying it.