Kim Young-sun Who Drank Seawater Says, "I Tried It to See If It Would Make My Brain Full of Holes"

"Opposition Party Says, 'Prime Minister Should Drink Contaminated Water During Report'"

During his visit to the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Seoul, Kim Young-sun, a member of the People Power Party, who directly scooped and drank seawater from the tank, stated, "I drank that water to see if it causes 'naesongsong gumeongtak' or if it 'pops.' I tried it to see whether it would 'pop' or cause 'naesongsong'."

'Naesongsong gumeongtak' and 'popping' are expressions that appeared during the 2008 mad cow disease crisis and the 2017 deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system, respectively.

The People Power Party's position is that the Democratic Party is opposing the issue of the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and inciting fear, just as they did in previous controversies. In an interview on June 3rd with SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show," Rep. Kim explained the reason he drank the seawater, saying, "(The Democratic Party) even told the Prime Minister to drink (the contaminated water). So I tried it myself."

Kim Young-sun, member of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Rep. Kim said, "In reality, the Fukushima nuclear plant has been discharging 300 tons daily since 2011, and it took about 4 to 5 years for it to reach our side, around 2016," adding, "This was during President Moon Jae-in's administration, and during that time, we ate fish and salt and even washed with seawater. (Yet) 50 million people were safe. Was there any Fukushima damage like 'naesongsong gumeongtak' or electromagnetic waves popping?" he questioned.

When the host asked, "People Power Party says they are responding to the Fukushima rumors, but is it really appropriate for the responsible ruling party to try to solve the problem with a performance?" Rep. Kim countered, "It was the Democratic Party that said 'drink it, drink it,' even though the Prime Minister drinking it doesn't eliminate the danger or prove it scientifically."

He continued, "Just like how the public was 'popped' by the electromagnetic waves from THAAD and made anxious by 'naesongsong gumeongtak' in the past, they also stirred up anxiety over the contaminated water issue."

Rep. Kim also retorted, "They say 'let's talk scientifically,' but they don't believe any scientific explanation. They ask, 'Why worry when the discharge hasn't even started yet?' I want to ask back, why worry when the discharge hasn't even started yet?" Then he added, "Why are they jumping around so much just because I drank a little seawater? I'm jumping more than a flatfish," targeting the Democratic Party.

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