Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Education, "We Will Definitely Ensure Safe School Meals Free from Radiation"

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education, is making a statement. [Image source=Gyeongnam Office of Education]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Education of Gyeongnam, issued a statement on the 15th urging the immediate withdrawal of Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

In the statement, Superintendent Park said, "The Japanese government decided on the 13th to release contaminated water into the ocean. This is an extremely irresponsible and unilateral decision made despite strong opposition from the international community concerned about safety issues, seafood contamination, and destruction of the marine ecosystem."

He further expressed deep regret over the Japanese government's decision and strongly urged the Japanese government to immediately withdraw the discharge decision to prevent the marine ecosystem, the source of life and a common asset of humanity, from being destroyed by radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

He also stated, "In 2020, our education office enacted the 'Ordinance on the Use of Safe Ingredients Free from Harmful Substances (2020.1.2.)' to ensure that safe ingredients are used in school meals. Currently, the proportion of Japanese products in Gyeongnam school meal ingredients is only 0.0029%, but they undergo thorough safety inspections."

The office is preparing a complete ban on the use of Japanese seafood in cooperation with local governments to protect children's safety in case of radioactive contaminated water discharge, and plans to expand inspections to detect harmful substances such as radioactivity and strengthen education for the use of safe ingredients.

Additionally, the office proposed the adoption of a joint statement and the establishment of a cooperative system to 16 city and provincial education offices, and stated that it will respond together through active cooperation with local governments.

Finally, it said, "Our education office, which has been striving to provide students with healthy and high-quality meals, will take multifaceted measures and respond strongly to ensure that safe school meals are not threatened under any circumstances."

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