▲ Andong MBC news about Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant

On January 7th, Pohang MBC reported that the site of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, has been extensively contaminated by the radioactive material leak. On the next day, Andong MBC also reported about it with the same concern. According to MBC's report, 713,000 becquerels of tritium at maximum were detected in underground water drain at the site of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, but the cause of the leak has not been found. Due to the structure of the nuclear power plant, radioactive materials must not be detected except for designated facilities that are completely sealed or isolated for safety.

▲ Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant

According to the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd's own investigation, a considerable amount of tritium, 713,000 becquerels, which is 18 times more than the amount of management criterion, were detected in some places in Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant. In particular, 924 becquerels of tritium at maximum were detected in the northern boundary area which is 300 meters far from the central site of the nuclear power plant. So, the possibility that radioactive underground water may have been spread out not only to the site of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant but also to the outside of the site was raised.

On the other hand, unlike the news that seemed very risky, some professors were saying it is just a strange rumor. According to Professor Jeong Yong-hoon in KAIST, although tritium of 18 times more than the standard was detected near Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, this is less than half of the amount of exposure to radioactivity when we eat one abalone. Professor Choi Seong-min in KAIST also pointed out the news with his post about chocolate which is much more dangerous than the current amount of tritium.

Meanwhile, even though the amount of leaked tritium is not dangerous, tritium was leaked and detected in places where tritium must not be detected. So, citizens have a confusion about this news, and the fact needs to be revealed quickly.

January 17th, 2021

by Kim Hyeon