"This Will Lead to Disaster"... Opposition United Against Fukushima Contaminated Water Heading to Gangneung

Lee Jae-myung "Will Spare No Support for Gangwon-do"
Park Kwang-on "Will Do Everything to Oppose Contaminated Water"

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea headed to Gangneung to raise their voices against the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima. Representative Lee Jae-myung listened to the voices of local fishermen on site and emphasized support for the development of Gangwon Province.

On the 23rd, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Gangneung on-site Supreme Council meeting in Gangwon, "We will start the Supreme Council meeting in the newly launched Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province." He added, "Gangwon Province will no longer be a place held back by regulations," and stressed, "We will spare no effort to support the opening of a leading hub for advanced industries."

The day before, Lee visited the Jumunjin Jwapan Pungmul Market to hear opinions from local residents and fisheries officials regarding Japan's discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima. Many local merchants at the market met with Lee and cried out, "We oppose the discharge of marine contaminated water," and pleaded, "Please save us. We are all doomed."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Lee said at a meeting with industry officials, "From Korea's standpoint, we must clearly express opposition and take action, but this has been quite insufficient," adding, "As a party, we will do our best to prevent the discharge and encourage the government to cooperate with the international community to take practical measures against Japan."

On the same day, the party leadership also voiced unified opposition to the discharge of contaminated water. Floor leader Park Kwang-on said, "We are allowing a situation where nuclear contaminated water could flow into the beautiful East Sea," and promised, "The Democratic Party will do everything possible to prevent contaminated water from flowing into the East Coast. We will form a parliamentary verification special committee and promote hearings to verify the dangers of the contaminated water."

Supreme Council member Jung Chung-rae said, "The complaint of the fish shop owner at Jumunjin Pungmul Market, who said, 'We have lived enough, but what about our children and grandchildren?' is vivid," and criticized the government, asking, "Is the Yoon Seok-yeol administration a pro-Japanese government or a regime serving the Japanese cabinet?" Supreme Council member Park Chan-dae also stated, "The Japanese government must fully understand that the unauthorized dumping of radioactive contaminated water is a crime against humanity."

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