By Park Hye Ri and Yoon Sojung

The government has expressed strong opposition to Japan's decision to release into the sea radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Minister for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yun-cheol on April 13 expressed "strong regret" over Japan's decision to a media briefing at Government Complex-Seoul on the government's planned response to the scheduled release of the water. "We will do everything necessary by setting the safety of the Korean people as our top priority," he added.

"This decision by the Japanese government is completely unacceptable," he said. "This unilateral measure by Japan was taken without sufficient negotiations with Korea or its understanding, as well as consideration of the danger to the marine environment of its closest neighbor (Korea)."

Earlier on April 12, the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affair in a news briefing said of Japan's decision, "We express grave concern as it can directly and indirectly affect the safety of our people and the surrounding environment."

"The government has stressed that the Japanese side should decide by transparently releasing all information and negotiating with neighboring countries," he added. "It will be difficult for us to accept if Japan decides to release contaminated Fukushima water into the sea without sufficient negotiations."

The ministry said, "Based our top priority of the Korean public's health and protection of the surrounding environment, we will expand assessments of radioactive levels and heighten monitoring."

"We will also bolster cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community to continue our response."

Kyodo News and other Japanese media on April 13 reported that the Japanese government officially decided in a cabinet meeting that morning to release the tainted water into the sea.

hrhr@korea.kr