8 Central American Countries and South Korea Issue Joint Statement: "International Community Must Cooperate on Japan's Contaminated Water"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] South Korea and the eight countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) issued a joint statement calling for “a collective international response to marine pollution in the Pacific region” in response to Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

On the 22nd (local time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 23rd that a joint statement was adopted at the Korea-SICA Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Costa Rica, based on a shared recognition of the risks posed by the discharge of contaminated water.

SICA is a regional organization established in 1991 aimed at integration and development in Central America, consisting of eight countries including Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador. South Korea joined as an extra-regional observer in 2012.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the adoption of this joint statement is the result of a high-level multilateral meeting led by South Korea, expressing international concerns about the discharge of contaminated water and urging a joint response. It is significant that non-Asian countries sharing the Pacific as a common sea spoke with one voice.

Choi Jong-geun, First Vice Minister, who attended the meeting, stated in his opening remarks, “The marine discharge of radioactive contaminated water from Fukushima is an act that causes irreversible damage not only to neighboring countries but also to the global marine ecosystem, and a decision that shirks responsibility to future generations.” He emphasized, “The international community must demand that the safety of the contaminated water discharge be thoroughly verified under the paramount principles of protecting the health and safety of the people of Pacific coastal countries and environmental protection.”

Furthermore, Vice Minister Choi explained efforts for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and lasting peace. In response, SICA member countries agreed on the urgent need to resume dialogue between South and North Korea and between North Korea and the United States, and pledged to continue supporting the South Korean government’s efforts for concrete progress in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.