Japan’s release of Fukushima water not discussed at Camp David summit

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shake hands at the end of a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden, during the trilateral summit at Camp David near Thurmont, Maryland, U.S., August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) – South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Friday the controversy of Japan soon pumping water from its wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea was not on the Camp David trilateral summit agenda and did not come up.

The South Korean leader added that he wants transparent disclosure on Fukushima water and the process needs to be conducted in line with International Atomic Energy Agency procedures

Japan has already delayed the release to avoid stirring up political opposition in South Korea before the leaders of Japan and South Korea met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the Camp David retreat on Friday.

(Reporting By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis)