Ruling Party and Government "Expand Marine Radioactivity Survey... Emergency Management Stabilization Fund Support for Fisheries Industry" (Comprehensive)

Discussed at the High-Level Party-Government Council Meeting

The People Power Party and the government have decided to expand radiation testing of marine and seafood products to dispel public anxiety related to the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. They plan to support the fisheries industry, which is struggling due to decreased seafood consumption, with emergency management stabilization funds and interest payment deferrals.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, the party and government held a high-level consultation meeting at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, attended by People Power Party leader Kim Gi-hyeon, floor leader Yoon Jae-ok, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-gi, where they made this decision, People Power Party senior spokesperson Yoo Sang-beom said in a briefing.

The party and government plan to increase the number of marine radiation survey points from the current 92 to 200. They will add 75 survey points to the 52 coastal locations and 33 to the 40 offshore locations. The analysis cycle for cesium and tritium concentrations will be shortened from 1 to 3 months per nuclide to biweekly. They also plan to establish a testing system for all domestic fish species before distribution at 43 large wholesale markets that handle more than 80% of seafood auction volumes.

Senior spokesperson Yoo said, "Regarding support for the fisheries industry management, emergency management stabilization funds will be provided," and added, "Additional financial support measures such as interest and principal repayment deferrals are also under review." He also stated, "The party and government share the recognition that the indiscriminate spread of various suspicions poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of our fishermen and have decided to respond actively."

Fake news and rumors will be monitored in real time, and daily briefings will be held to correct factual information. To provide accurate information on seafood safety, they also plan to collaborate with portal sites to offer real-time visual safety information on marine radiation when search terms are entered. The possibility of operating electronic display boards showing radiation indices at fish markets is also under consideration.

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