DATE=10/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SOUTH KOREA NUCLEAR
NUMBER=2-254748
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. Officials 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
new nuclear plants by the year 2015. (signed)
NEB/HSK/FC
07-Oct-1999 05:53 AM EDT (07-Oct-1999 0953 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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