Yeongnam Region Environmental Groups Urge Joint Investigation of Agricultural Products Contaminated with Toxic Substances

Seventy-five civic and environmental organizations from the Yeongnam region, including Masan YMCA, held a press conference at the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office on the 21st to mark World Water Day, urging a joint public-private investigation into agricultural products found to contain toxic substances.

The groups stated, “According to the Korean River Association and other investigations, microcystin, a toxin thousands of times more potent than cyanide, was detected in rice grown with green algae-contaminated water from the Nakdong River last year,” adding, “The green algae from the Nakdong River flowed into the rice paddies and fields, causing toxic substances to accumulate in rice and vegetables.”

They raised their voices, saying, “Microcystin was detected in rice from Changwon, Yangsan, Hapcheon in Gyeongnam, and Goryeong in Gyeongbuk.”

They further emphasized, “The toxicity of the green algae is the final warning sent by the dying Nakdong River,” and urged, “To prevent further damage, open the sluice gates of the Nakdong River weirs.”

The organizations requested the government to take full responsibility for purchasing all rice contaminated with microcystin and to conduct a joint public-private investigation into agricultural products used in school meals.

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