Fishing Groups Condemn Fukushima Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Discharge into the Ocean

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Korea Fisheries Industry Federation, the Korea Fisheries Management Association Central Federation, and the Korea Women Fishers Federation, among other fisheries organizations, held a 'Rally to Condemn the Discharge of Contaminated Water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Ocean' on the 30th.

The rally, held simultaneously in nine regions nationwide including Busan and Sokcho, was attended by about 1,000 fishers and 500 fishing vessels. Although the event was conducted with fewer than 100 participants in accordance with COVID-19 quarantine guidelines, fisheries industry workers united in condemning Japan's unilateral discharge of contaminated water from the nuclear power plant.

Earlier, the Japanese government decided at a cabinet meeting last month to discharge 1.25 million tons of contaminated water generated from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident into the ocean. Fishers perceive this as a serious infringement threatening the survival of the fisheries industry.

These fisheries organizations stated, "Regardless of whether the contaminated water from the Japanese nuclear power plant enters domestic waters, the fisheries industry will suffer from a sharp decline in seafood consumption and avoidance of fishing villages, causing damages to snowball over the next 20 to 30 years," and demanded, "Fisheries industry workers strongly condemn the Japanese government's decision and call for the immediate withdrawal of the unilateral ocean discharge decision made without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries."

They also argued that the Japanese government's refusal to provide transparent information disclosure and scientific verification is accelerating public anxiety about radiation, urging compliance with procedural demands for objective impact analysis and safety confirmation.

Regarding our government, they urged ▲thorough radiation monitoring ▲strengthening of origin labeling enforcement ▲and preparation of protective measures for the fisheries industry.

Lim Juntak, Chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, emphasized, "If Japan does not abandon the discharge of contaminated water from the nuclear power plant, seafood consumption cannot recover," adding, "Centered on the Fisheries Cooperatives, fisheries industry workers will ensure that the public can safely consume our seafood through strengthened origin labeling and thorough radiation inspections."

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