SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea sent nuclear safety experts to the country's western border island of Gangwha on Friday to collect water samples for analysis in connection with a suspected release of wastewater from a North Korean uranium refining plant, the country's nuclear watchdog said.
According to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, a team of experts from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) collected water samples from six locations on the island. The samples will be sent to KINS laboratories for detailed examinations to detect the presence of radioactive substances, such as cesium and uranium.
The move came after a recent news report that North Korea may have dumped waste from a uranium refining plant in Pyongsan County into rivers that flow into South Korea.
The team plans to investigate 10 designated sites to determine whether radioactive or heavy metal contamination has occurred. Authorities aim to complete their analysis within two weeks and disclose the results to the public.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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