Ruling Party "Lee Jae-myung's Humiliating Diplomacy with China" vs Opposition "What About Japan's Contaminated Water?"

Diplomatic Confrontation in Government Questioning
Ruling and Opposition Parties Engage in Criticism over Diplomatic Issues

The ruling and opposition parties clashed during the government questioning session over controversies such as the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and humiliating diplomacy issues in Korea-China relations. As the opposition actively highlighted the dangers of the Fukushima nuclear power plant's contaminated water, the ruling party pointed to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visiting Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming.

On the 12th, during the National Assembly's political, diplomatic, unification, and security government questioning session, Yoon Ho-jung of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was the first questioner, mentioned Japan's trial operation for discharging contaminated water and asked, "Were we notified in advance?" In response, Foreign Minister Park Jin said, "We have never been notified in advance."

Yoon Ho-jung then pointed out, "Starting the trial operation before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verification results are out shows an intention to discharge without permission regardless of the IAEA's decision." Minister Park Jin explained, "Japan has independently planned and carried out contaminated water treatment, and today's test is not about discharging contaminated water but inspecting the facilities capable of discharge," adding, "It is a different concept from discharging contaminated water."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge, Yoon Ho-jung also asked about the government's stance. Minister Park Jin responded, "The basic principle is to verify safety objectively and scientifically," adding, "For this reason, we dispatched an expert on-site inspection team to Japan to check major facilities and received all necessary raw data. We will continue to request data if needed."

Pointing out the China trade situation, responsibility of the current government was also raised. Yoon Ho-jung questioned, "Is it right to move toward decoupling in diplomatic policy with China?" Prime Minister Han Duck-soo replied, "China had lockdown policies in response to COVID-19, and it has been about five to six months since they shifted these policies," adding, "In pursuing confident diplomacy with China, Korea has no policy or intention to decouple from China but aims to maintain a good and mature relationship." Han also mentioned, "(President Yoon) had a bilateral meeting with President Xi at the G20, and when attending the APEC meeting, he had good conversations with President Xi," indicating disagreement with the notion that President Yoon is responsible for deteriorating relations with China.

Kim Seok-ki of the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party for spreading conspiracy politics regarding Japan's contaminated water discharge. Kim said, "The Democratic Party did not raise issues during the Moon Jae-in administration but now spreads rumors and incites by saying 'the Yoon Seok-yeol government is killing all the people' over the Fukushima issue." When Kim asked if the Democratic Party was aware of past false agitation causing public anxiety over health and safety, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo replied, "I know such incidents happened, but it is unclear if it was the Democratic Party. Many civic groups participated, spreading unscientific information about mad cow disease, which adversely affected the livestock industry."

Kim Seok-ki further pointed out, "The groups that incited the mad cow disease riots are again leading opposition to the Fukushima contaminated water issue, spreading propaganda that will harm fisheries workers due to false information not based on science."

Kim also raised his voice against Ambassador Xing Haiming. He said, "A few days ago, Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, visited the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, who is only a director-level official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and listened to 15 minutes of threatening remarks against our Republic of Korea without protesting even once," calling it a humiliating attitude. He added, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ambassador Xing and issued a warning, but this should not end here. I believe Ambassador Xing should be declared PNG (persona non grata) and expelled." When asked by Kim Sang-hoon of the People Power Party about designating Ambassador Xing as persona non grata, Minister Park Jin only replied, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly warned that all consequences will be the ambassador's responsibility."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party's attitude regarding this matter was also criticized. Kim Seok-ki said, "Judging by the Democratic Party's attitude so far, if the Japanese Ambassador to Korea had shown the same rude behavior as Ambassador Xing, the Democratic Party might have immediately demanded expulsion of the Japanese ambassador and severance of diplomatic relations."

The contaminated water controversy continued with Kim Seong-joo of the Democratic Party. Kim said, "A British expert who said Fukushima contaminated water is safe to drink spoke at a national research institute and a People Power Party meeting in our country," adding, "At first, they said 1L is safe to drink, then later said 10L is safe. Prime Minister, do you think it is okay to drink Fukushima contaminated water?" Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was presenting WHO drinking standards, replied, when asked again, "If it meets the standards, I can drink it."

Regarding the contaminated water controversy, Prime Minister Han said, "I think the Yoon Seok-yeol government's position is basically the same as the Moon Jae-in government's," adding, "If it is not scientific or does not meet international standards, we cannot allow it." When Kim Seong-joo introduced public opinion indicators showing skepticism about the government's response, Han said, "It means our efforts to persuade the public are still insufficient," and added, "We will work harder."

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