Chungnam Civic Groups Condemn Provincial Council for Rejecting Resolution to Block Nuclear Wastewater Discharge

Civil society organizations in the Chungnam region have raised their voices in criticism over the rejection of the Chungnam Provincial Council's 'Resolution to Block the Discharge of Contaminated Water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan and Urge Measures to Protect Public Safety and Marine Ecosystems.'

On the 29th, the Chungnam Citizens' Social Organizations Solidarity Meeting and the Chungnam Environmental Movement Federation held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Government Office to condemn the Chungnam Provincial Council. Provided by civic groups

The Chungnam Civil Society Coalition and the Chungnam Environmental Movement Federation held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Office on the 29th to condemn the rejection of the resolution by the Chungnam Provincial Council.

These organizations stated, "Chungnam ranks third nationwide in the number of households engaged in fisheries, following Jeonnam and Gyeongnam," and added, "If contaminated water from the nuclear power plant is discharged, the livelihoods of local fishermen will be directly hit, and the health of residents will be threatened, yet the Chungnam Provincial Council is taking no action to prevent marine discharge."

They especially emphasized, "In a public opinion survey conducted last month by the Environmental Movement Federation, 85.4% of respondents opposed the discharge of contaminated water from the nuclear power plant," and noted, "What is noteworthy in the survey results is that opposition was expressed regardless of age, gender, or political orientation, showing widespread concern or opposition to the discharge."

Furthermore, these organizations pointed out, "The issue of discharging contaminated water from the nuclear power plant should not be a subject of political strife," but "it appears that the Chungnam Provincial Council prioritizes political interests over the safety of its residents."

They urged, "The Chungnam Provincial Council must fully commit to blocking Japan's discharge of contaminated nuclear power plant water in accordance with the will of the residents and immediately implement measures to minimize damage."

Meanwhile, the Chungnam Provincial Council's Steering Committee rejected the submission of the resolution to the plenary session through a vote on the 27th.

Of the 10 committee members, 8 participated in the vote. Among them, 3 were from the Democratic Party of Korea, and 5 were from the People Power Party. The vote resulted in 3 in favor and 5 against submitting the resolution to the plenary session.

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