Wastewater tanks in Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan on February 21, 2021 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The two sides agreed to set up the information-sharing framework to address public concern in the RoK, with Japan set to start releasing the water on Thursday, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a press release. The IAEA said Japan’s plans “are consistent with IAEA Safety Standards, which serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment.”

The agency, which has set up a permanent office at the plant, will continue to monitor the water discharge to ensure that it meets international safety standards and will “provide up-to-date information” to South Korea, the press release said.

The IAEA will also publish near real-time monitoring data on the discharge, it said.