IAEA chief ends trip to Korea

Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi left Korea after a three-day visit. His visit, following the IAEA's report, raises concerns about the impending release of radioactive water by Japan.

Gaining momentum from the IAEA's report finding no problem with the water release plan, Japan is poised to discharge the water soon. The Korean government demands Japan and the IAEA include Korea in the final water release stage and follow-up verification process.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to include the Fukushima water release issue among the agendas at the NATO summit Tuesday, and highlight the safety of its plan. The Korean and Japanese leaders are to meet at the NATO meeting for the first time in two months. It remains to be seen how far Seoul can take its demands for contaminated water verification and management.