Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-yeol Target ‘Japan Contaminated Water Remarks’... “Silence Is ‘Pro-Japanese Collaboration’... At Least Show Korean National Identity”

Confirmed Release of Japanese Contaminated Water
Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Criticizes Yoon Seok-yeol Again
"At Least Show Korean National Identity"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the leading presidential candidate from the ruling party and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, once again targeted Yoon Seok-youl, the opposition candidate and former Prosecutor General, on the 25th by asking, "What is your stance on the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant?"

Earlier, former Prosecutor General Yoon sparked controversy by stating in an interview with a media outlet that "the Fukushima nuclear power plant did not collapse, so there was no radioactive leakage." Shortly after, Yoon's campaign clarified, "It does not mean there was no damage at all. The words in the interview were condensed, leading to misunderstandings," but he faced strong criticism from both the political sphere and academia for "distorting even basic facts."

In fact, the day before, the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company announced their decision to discharge the contaminated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea off Japan through an underwater tunnel. The Japanese government plans to begin releasing the stored contaminated water starting in 2023.

Governor Lee said, "I believe it is now clear that radioactive leakage has occurred from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Unless you represent Japan or are in such a position, it is only natural to oppose the discharge of radioactive contaminated water that harms not only Korea but the entire world." He added, "As a citizen of the Republic of Korea and as someone who aspires to become the President of the Republic of Korea, please clearly express your opposition to the Fukushima contaminated water discharge. If you fail to show even the minimum identity as a Korean citizen, it will be difficult to recognize your qualifications not only as a presidential candidate but also as a Korean." He further emphasized, "The silence of candidate Yoon, who denied the radioactive contaminated water from Fukushima, regarding the confirmed discharge of contaminated water is unacceptable," and labeled it as "pro-Japanese collaboration."

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