The Democratic Party mobilizes activists and fishermen for an all-out assault on the opposition's 'radioactive water hoax'

Ham Un-gyeong's Lecture at the Ruling Party Study Group
Woori Bada TF Fishermen Invitation Meeting Also Held

On the 28th, the People Power Party (PPP) launched a fierce attack targeting the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), accusing them of continuing to spread "fearmongering" by appointing a former activist as a lecturer for a study group on the issue of Fukushima contaminated water discharge, and holding meetings with relevant ministries and fishermen.

The PPP lawmakers' study group 'National Sympathy' listened to lectures from Ham Woon-kyung, a representative figure of the 86 generation (students of the 1980s, born in the 1960s) activists, who led the 1985 occupation of the U.S. Cultural Center. Ham currently runs a sashimi restaurant in Gunsan, Jeonbuk.

In his lecture, Ham pointed out, "This controversy exists only in South Korea, not in the discharging country Japan, nor in the United States, Canada, North Korea, or China."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As evidence that "discharging contaminated water is not a problem," Ham explained, "Because it is diluted to one part in a trillion." He lined up four water bottles and assumed a case where 1 gram of poison is added to one 1000cc bottle of water and diluted, then 1 gram of this diluted water is further diluted in a new bottle. Ham said, "Even if 1.3 million tons of contaminated water is poured into the sea at once, it is diluted to one part in a trillion. This is done over 30 years, filtering out all radionuclides."

He then appeared to target the opposition party, which takes a stance against the Fukushima contaminated water discharge, emphasizing, "This fight started with a clear intention to incite anti-Japanese sentiment." He added, "Common sense tells us that if there was no problem 12 years ago, why would there be one now? It is because there are people who want to exploit anti-Japanese sentiment." He criticized, "It is a significant intention to suggest wielding spears when responsible South Korean politicians should be fostering close relations with neighboring countries in Northeast Asia."

The PPP's 'Protect Our Sea Verification Task Force' also held a 'Meeting on Countermeasures Against Fukushima Rumors and Fishermen Protection' that morning to bolster the offensive. Attending the meeting, Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok criticized, "The DPK is escalating inflammatory politics by inciting public fear using the Fukushima contaminated water issue for political gain. The only beneficiaries of the DPK's extreme rumor-mongering are the DPK itself, cornered by judicial risks, and its leader Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, the damage is borne by fishermen and citizens nationwide."

Yoon Jae-ok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the "People Power Party Our Sea Protection Verification TF - Fukushima Rumor Response and Fishermen Protection Measures Meeting" held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In his opening remarks, Policy Committee Chair Park Dae-chul said, "Recently, the DPK sent cooperation letters to Pacific island nations, staging an unexpected solidarity show and even involving the United Nations (UN). This goes against the government's diplomacy. There cannot be two foreign policies in one country, and this harms national interests."

Labor Jin, Chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, said, "In the fishing industry, many worry that if nuclear power plant contaminated water is discharged, seafood consumption will sharply decline. Especially if inaccurate information spreads through the internet and various SNS, a greater consumption contraction is feared."

On this day, the fisheries industry delivered a 'Fishermen's Petition' to the party, urging prompt government and ruling party support measures in response to the contaminated water discharge controversy.

After the meeting, Task Force Chair Sung Il-jong told reporters, "The DPK has continuously cited unverified foreign data, claiming that radioactive substances will enter our seas in 5 to 7 months. If such radioactive substances appear in South Korean waters in 5 to 7 months, we will take responsibility." He also proposed holding an expert debate jointly by the ruling and opposition parties to discuss the safety of seafood related to the contaminated water discharge.

Meanwhile, the Korea Coastal Fishermen Central Association held a press conference in front of the National Assembly, calling for "a public hearing involving academia, fishermen, and citizens without politicians," and urged, "We want a discussion where people like us, who go to the sea every day, are invited to speak directly."

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