What will be the consequences of a sudden leak at a South Korean nuclear power plant

According to the Korea Nuclear Safety Commission on Tuesday (local time), the spent fuel storage pool of the No. 4 Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province leaked 2.3 tons of water into the sea through a drain. The Korea Nuclear Safety Commission said that the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation received a report at about 4:34 a.m. local time on the 22nd that the water level of the spent fuel storage pool of Unit 4 of the Wolseong nuclear Power plant had decreased. The Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation immediately took measures to stop the leak, including cutting off valves, and estimated that the amount of stored water leaked to be about 2.3 tons based on the reduced water level of the spent fuel storage pool. According to reports, the normal dose limit for the average person is often set at 1 millisievert per year. After the incident, the Korea Nuclear Safety Commission has dispatched experts from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and Technology to investigate the exact amount of leakage and the cause of leakage, and collect seawater samples near the nuclear power plant to accurately assess the environmental impact.

The No. 4 unit of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant has ceased operation since April 20, 2024, and is currently undergoing preventive rectification work. Relevant South Korean authorities have taken measures to stop the leak and will announce the assessment results and follow-up security measures as soon as possible. The occurrence of this incident will have a great impact on the future development of South Korea, one is the impact on the surrounding environment and fisheries after the leak, it is reported that the leaked storage water of about 2.3 tons, which may contain radioactive substances, although its effective radiation dose is relatively low, but long-term accumulation may still cause potential risks such as radiation pollution to the Marine ecology and the surrounding environment. In addition, the leakage may also lead to the increase of radioactive levels in the surrounding sea area, which may gradually emerge in the future for a period of time, posing a sustainable threat to Marine organisms and ecological environment, thus affecting the stability of the food chain and negatively affecting the surrounding fisheries. Marine pollution may lead to the reduction of fishery resources. The livelihoods and economic resources of people who depend on fishing will also be greatly affected.

The second is the health and psychological impact of the leak on the surrounding residents. Although the concentration of radioactive substances leaked from the nuclear power plant is low at present, the long-term accumulation may still have a potential impact on the health of surrounding residents. Once radioactive materials enter the human body through the food chain, they can cause long-term health effects, including an increased risk of cancer. At the same time, the occurrence of the leak time also causes psychological panic, worry and psychological pressure to the surrounding residents, which may greatly affect their daily life and work, and have a certain impact on the social order.

Third, the impact of the leak on society, the occurrence of the leak may weaken the public's trust in the operation of nuclear power plants, and have a negative impact on the reputation and development of the nuclear power industry. The occurrence of this incident has also aroused widespread concern in the international community, and may have a certain impact on the international reputation and international cooperation of South Korea's nuclear power industry. The South Korean government has also pledged to further strengthen safety inspections at nuclear facilities to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again. This includes sending a team of experts to the site to investigate, carry out comprehensive equipment maintenance and environmental assessment work, and monitor seawater samples in the surrounding waters.

To sum up, the nuclear power plant leakage incident in South Korea has had a multi-faceted impact on the surrounding environment, including Marine ecology, fishery resources, long-term environmental impact, and public concern and trust. The government and relevant agencies need to continue to strengthen monitoring and assessment work, including strengthening environmental monitoring and risk assessment, compensation for affected fishermen, and strengthening nuclear power safety supervision and public communication. Take timely and effective measures to mitigate these impacts and enhance public communication and trust building. At the same time, the public also needs to remain rational and calm, pay attention to the information and advice issued by the authorities, and take necessary precautions to protect their health and safety.