There is controversy over suspicion that tritium, a radioactive material, was detected in the groundwater of units 1 to 4 of the Wolseong nuclear power plant as much as 18 times the maximum standard. Even though the results of such a survey came out last year, questions arise as to why it has not been disclosed. The auditor, who has been auditing for more than a year, also pointed out what he did.
Pohang MBC said in a news desk local broadcast on the 7th, “The results of KHNP’s own investigation that the Wolseong nuclear power plant site may have been exposed to a wide range of radioactive contamination came out.” Tritium was detected.” The broadcast said, “Due to the structure of nuclear power plants, radioactive materials should not be detected except for designated facilities because they are completely enclosed and isolated for safety.” However, as a result of the investigation, as many as 713,000 becquerels, a significant amount of 18 times the management standard Tritium is detected everywhere and is giving a shock.”
Next, MBC also revealed the’Status of Groundwater Tritium Management and Action Plan in the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Site’ written by KHNP on June 23 of last year at the news desk on the 10th. As a result of investigating the level of groundwater radioactivity in a collection well near the spent nuclear fuel storage tank, MBC said, “The maximum detection value of tritium per reactor was 8.8 times to 13.2 times higher than the management standard. In Wolseong Unit 4, the artificial radioactive material’gamma nuclide ‘It was even detected,’ he reported. The KHNP inspected the storage tank and investigated the surrounding soil contamination, but MBC pointed out that the cause of the high tritium was not yet understood.
Lee Nak-yeon, head of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council on the morning of the 11th that tritium was detected in the groundwater of the Wolseong nuclear power plant site. It was confirmed again that the closure of the Wolseong nuclear power plant was inevitable due to aging facilities.” Representative Lee pointed out, “Some people have argued for the decision to close early and insisted that the operation of such defective nuclear power plants should be extended, but it was an irresponsible political battle.” Representative Lee said, “It is difficult to understand the results of the audit of Wolseong, which has been auditing Wolseong nuclear power plant for more than a year and has not confirmed the leak of radioactive materials for the first time in history.” Criticized. Representative Lee said, “The suspicion of the leakage of tritium at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant has been raised since 7 years ago, but why has such a suspicion not been clarified, whether there was somebody’s concealment? It must be clear,” he urged.
In a commentary on the 10th, Shin Young-dae, a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Korea, said, “Under the protection of the people’s power, Chairman Jae-hyung Choi, who audited the closure of Wolsong Unit 1 for more than a year, has left the public safety behind the shocking radioactive leakage and has only made economic feasibility.” He pointed out that the prosecution, who inherited this, is conducting an investigation based on the audit results of the Audit Office.” Spokesman Shin added, “However, the people’s strength, the auditor, the prosecution, and the conservative media in collaboration with the nuclear power mafia are all consistently silent about the dangers of radiation exposure of Gyeongju citizens.”
Nuclear Safety and Future, a nuclear safety organization, said on the 10th, “The inside of the tank including the storage tank is waterproofed with epoxy, but because leakage may occur due to continuous deformation under the influence of radiation, underground pollution can be expected sufficiently. It has occurred, but the information has not been disclosed at all.” The group said, “After the first operation of Wolsong Unit 1, all radioactive leakage information that has been intentionally and unplanned from the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant to air, ocean, and underground releases must be immediately disclosed. He urged to disclose all leaks and maintenance history of structures, spent nuclear fuel storage tanks, water tanks, waste water storage tanks, and liquid waste storage tanks.”
Accordingly, KHNP claimed that it was detected and recovered only once in the water tank of Wolseong Unit 3 two years ago, and that it was transferred in the air. The public relations team at KHNP headquarters said, “In April 2019, 710,000 becquerels from the standing water in the collecting tank of the groundwater drainage pipe under the turbine building of Wolseong Unit 3 in relation to whether tritium was actually detected in the answer to the media today’s inquiry on the afternoon of the 11th. Liter was detected once and recovered to the liquid waste treatment system.” KHNP argued that it was insignificant at a maximum of 13.26 becquerels/liter compared to the regulatory standard of 40,000 becquerels/liter.
Regarding the reason why tritium was detected in such a large amount, KHNP said, “The water accumulated in the groundwater ditch at the bottom of the turbine building seemed to have been preserved for a long time in the state of being held at the time of discovery. It was confirmed that a trace amount of tritium had been transferred to a dead body over a long period of time.” It is claimed that the tritium in the air has turned into water. He also offered to have the results of the experiment verified by an external advisory agency.
KHNP replied, “It does not fall under the disclosure items of the nuclear accident failure reporting and disclosure regulations” for the reason for not disclosing the results to the public. However, it was explained that in April 2019, the highest report was reported to the regional office of the Nuclear Safety Commission, and to the main office of the Won An Committee and the Institute of Nuclear Safety and Technology (KINS). In response to a request to disclose information on all radioactive leaks and the history of leak maintenance after the Great Gyeongju earthquake, KHNP replied, “We will review it upon request by related organizations such as private environmental monitoring organizations.”
Congressman Seong Il-jong said at the party’s emergency countermeasure committee on the 11th that the MBC report and the Democratic Party’s allegation of tritium detection was a conflict with the nuclear power version, and argued that it was a public opinion battle for the audit of the auditor and the prosecution investigation. “Tritium is detected in daily life, but it is said to be at a lower level than coffee powder containing 1 gram of anchovy and 1 banana,” said Congressman Seong. “In the granite region, Korea has an average of 10% or more from groundwater. “Wolseong Leak” is a stimulating title that reports M and welcomes the Democratic Party as if it waited for public opinion to prevent the prosecution’s investigation.”
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