DATE=10/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=S. KOREA NUCLEAR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254705
BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: There have been angry demonstrations outside a
nuclear power plant in South Korea, following a
radiation leak which affected 22 workers. The
demonstrators called for an independent inquiry into
the accident and voiced
concern over safety . As Hyun-Sung Khang reports from
the South Korean capital, Seoul, government
investigators have stepped up their probe into
the causes of the accident.
TEXT: Local residents picketed the nuclear power plant
following news of the leak which took place on Monday.
The demonstrators rejected government
assurances that the leak was only a minor one and they
have demanded a thorough review of safety arrangements
at the Wolsung Power Plant, in the
South West of the country. At a rally, a local
politician said the site should be shut down until the
government implements safety measures in which
residents could have faith.
Similar protests were held in the capital, Seoul. A
leading South Korean civic group said a joint
independent investigation was needed to ease
mounting public concern over nuclear safety. The
Korean Federation for Environmental Movement cast
doubt on the objectivity of the government's
inquiry into the accident and said it would set up its
own investigation team, involving civic group leaders,
nuclear experts and lawyers.
In the face of the public protests, the government has
stepped up its own investigation. Two experts from
the state-affiliated Korea Institute of Nuclear
Safety, traveled to the site, which is more than 240
kilometers from the capital. The Ministry of Science
and Technology said that the government's
investigation into the causes of the accident, is
expected to be completed by the end of this week.
Officials had said after news of the incident emerged,
that the leak of radioactive water appeared to have
been caused by human error, while two workers carried
out routine maintenance work.
The 22 men who were exposed to radiation during the
leak, were back at work Wednesday, although two were
taken off duties involving radioactive
material. Officals have said that the leak was a
minor one, which emitted radiation equivalent to four
or five x-rays.
Last week's nuclear accident in Japan has raised
sensitivities over nuclear safety here in South Korea,
with calls for the government to suspend its ambitious
plans to build more than 16
further nuclear plants by the year 2015. (signed)
NEB/HSK/FC/PLM
06-Oct-1999 04:19 AM EDT (06-Oct-1999 0819 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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