hankyoreh

By Lee Keun-young, senior staff writer
The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) abruptly halted its inquiry last year into the dispersion of radiation from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster after contacting the National Intelligence Service, it was belatedly revealed on Oct. 2.
The institute, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Environment, was predicting the course of radiation from the plant after an accident there following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
Democratic United Party lawmaker Chang Ha-na, a member of the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee, said on Oct. 2 that an examination by the Ministry of Environment inspector’s office at the showed NIER research to predict the spread of radiation from Fukushima, and its effects on South Korea, was halted immediately after a report to the NIS.
According to a confidential inspector’s office report acquired by Chang, then-NIER director Yoon Seung-joon (now head of the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute) sent a report on radiation leaks from Fukushima to the NIS some time between March 25 and 31, 2011, after being asked about modeling findings for radiation from the accident.
On Mar. 31, the NIS asked a research team member, identified by the surname Song, about simulation methods. Song responded by emailing a methodology to the NIS via the government mail service.
According to the examination, Yoon directed Song to not respond to outside requests and to suspend the research.
The NIER’s research was also reported on Mar. 28, 2011, during a meeting of Ministry of Environment officials, but the details were not externally disclosed. However, a research team official did appear on KBS morning news on Mar. 25, using the model to explain the relationship between the high radiation concentrations in Tokyo and surface winds.
The inspector’s office examination took place in the immediate wake of March reports from the Hankyoreh and other news outlets alleging NIS involvement in the decision to suspend NIER research indicating that trace amounts of radiation were reaching the Korean Peninsula. The reports at the time were based on remarks made by Yoon during a dinner meeting.
During the examination, Yoon denied any pressure from the NIS, saying that the organization “never requested confidentiality” and that he ordered a halt to the research out of “concerns that it might cause confusion between organizations, since the Korea Meteorological Administration was reporting no effects on the Korean Peninsula.”
The inspector’s office requested a “stern warning” to Yoon to ensure no similar incidents occurred in the future.
Chang said this disciplinary action was a response to press coverage after Yoon contacted the news media.
“This is as good as an admission that there was pressure from the NIS,” she added.
　
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