Protest at Wando Sea Condemning Japan's Decision to Discharge Contaminated Nuclear Wastewater

18 Fisheries-Related Organizations Unite, Mobilize 60 Vessels for Maritime Protest

Eighteen fisheries-related organizations in Wando County held a rally on May 13 to condemn the discharge of radioactive contaminated water by Japan. (Photo by Wando County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the morning of the 13th, 18 fisheries-related organizations in Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do held a rally condemning Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean at Pier 1 of Wando Port.

According to Wando-gun, the rally was hosted by the Wando-gun Fishing Vessel Association and attended by fisheries-related organizations including Geumil Fisheries Cooperative, Soan Fisheries Cooperative, Jeonnam Coastal Gillnet Association, Wando-gun Fishing Boat Association, Wando Wireless Safety Bureau, Korea Maritime Rescue Team Wando Branch, Wando Gillnet Council, Wando-eup Prosperity Association, National Coastal Fisheries Association, Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority Wando Branch, Jeil Longline Association, Judo Fishing Boat Association, Octopus Complex Association, Trap Autonomous Community, Wando-gun Nangjangnet Association, and Wando-gun Seaweed Association, along with Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Council, and about 300 local residents.

On the 13th of last month, the Japanese government decided to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. If the contaminated water is discharged into the ocean, it will pollute the marine ecosystem, threatening not only the livelihoods of fishermen but also Korea's fisheries industry, and the lives and health of its people.

In particular, the damage to the fisheries industry is expected to snowball over the next 20 to 30 years due to a sharp decline in seafood consumption and avoidance of fishing village tourism.

In response, fisheries-related organizations in Wando-gun held the rally to urge the withdrawal of Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water. The rally included an opening speech, encouragement remarks, a Fukushima nuclear power plant funeral performance, a street march, and a maritime protest involving about 60 vessels.

The participating fisheries-related organizations raised their voices, stating, “Japan must withdraw its decision to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant, and the government must thoroughly conduct radiation monitoring to alleviate public anxiety and promptly establish safety management measures for seafood, including strengthening origin labeling enforcement.”

Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “We must never lose our clean sea due to Japan's destructive actions,” adding, “We will unite our efforts to ensure that the Japanese government withdraws its decision to discharge contaminated water, and the county will do its utmost to protect the safety of its residents and safeguard Wando as the clean sea capital of the Republic of Korea.”

On the 14th of last month, Wando-gun issued a statement condemning Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water and calling for its immediate withdrawal.

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