(LEAD) S. Korea mulls int'l suit against Japan's plan to release contaminated water: Cheong Wa Dae
(ATTN: CHANGES headline; lead paras: UPDATES with details; ADDS photos, byline)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, April 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is considering lodging a complaint with an international tribunal against Japan's decision to dump a huge amount of contaminated wastewater from a crippled nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.
President Moon Jae-in issued the instruction before meeting with Japan's new ambassador here, Koichi Aiboshi, to receive his credentials.
In an internal meeting, Moon ordered his government to "proactively consider" bringing the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
Moon then told the Japanese envoy that there is "great concern" among South Koreans, as the two nations are geographically close to each other and share the sea.
He asked the envoy to convey his message to Tokyo during a conversation following the credentials ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae.
The previous day, the Japanese government announced a plan to release what it calls "treated water" from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
Moon also received credentials from the new Dominican Ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo and the new Latvian Ambassador Aris Vigants.
It is unusual for the president to mention such a diplomatically sensitive issue while conversing with a group of foreign ambassadors, Kang pointed out.
A Cheong Wa Dae official later told reporters on background that the office of the secretary for legal affairs has begun a review of various options, which include a formal request for the tribunal to take a provisional measure first, similar to a "court injunction", against Japan's move.
Meanwhile, Seoul's Ambassador to Tokyo Kang Chang-il was slated to present his credentials last week but it has been postponed due to his sudden injury.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen'
-
N. Korea calls on party propaganda officials to work harder
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
S. Korea eliminated in Olympic football qualifiers as poor defense, undisciplined play prove costly
-
10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
(LEAD) 10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
Indonesia coach left with mixed feelings after eliminating native S. Korea in Olympic football qualifiers
-
(3rd LD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict