Rep. Kim Seung-nam Demands Complete Ban on Japanese Seafood Imports over Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater Discharge

Japan Plans to Release Fukushima Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water into the Ocean in Spring 2023
Government Prepares Response through Inter-Ministerial Meetings Amid Public Anxiety and Fisheries Industry Concerns
Complete Ban on Japanese Seafood Impo

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Congressman Kim Seung-nam pointed out at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' national audit on the 7th, "Japan plans to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean starting next spring, and we must respond with a complete ban on the import of Japanese seafood," adding, "Since we have experience winning at the WTO in 2019, we need to alleviate the anxiety and concerns of the public and fisheries workers through careful legal review and bold decisions."

Tokyo Electric Power Company of Japan announced on August 25 that it plans to discharge nuclear substances, excluding tritium, below discharge standards using ALPS, and dilute tritium to less than 1/40 of Japan's discharge standards before releasing it into the ocean.

Our government immediately expressed strong regret to the Japanese government regarding the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and held an emergency vice-ministerial meeting chaired by the Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, but anxiety among the public and fisheries workers continues to grow.

Accordingly, referring to the case where the Korean government banned seafood imports from eight prefectures including Fukushima Prefecture in Japan in September 2013 and ultimately won at the WTO in 2019, voices are rising that our government should also take strong measures against Japan, which is trying to forcibly discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, including a ban on seafood imports from all regions of Japan.

According to a survey conducted last year by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the amount of cesium detected in the eight prefectures, including Fukushima Prefecture, where South Korea imposed import bans, was 11 times higher than in other regions, and radioactive substances were detected in 8.9% of all seafood.

Congressman Kim Seung-nam stated, "Japan's discharge of nuclear power plant contaminated water is due to difficulties such as securing sites within the country, and despite global concerns, Japan is attempting to discharge contaminated water into the ocean," and added, "The government should consider strong measures such as a complete ban on Japanese seafood imports."

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