Ruling Party: "Opposition to Contaminated Water Discharge Is Rejection of Presidential Election" VS Opposition: "Verification Starts Today"

IAEA Fukushima Final Report Released Today
Political Sphere Continues Sharp Disputes

On the 4th, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in sharp exchanges ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s final report on the safety assessment of Japan's Fukushima contaminated water discharge. The People Power Party reaffirmed its stance to maintain the ban on imports of Fukushima seafood to alleviate public anxiety over the discharge, while fiercely criticizing the opposition party for casting doubt on the report's credibility, calling it a "national disgrace." In response, the Democratic Party of Korea decided to establish a comprehensive control tower for contaminated water response and to organize a systematic countermeasure.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the National Assembly floor leaders' meeting that morning, "We promise to take all necessary safety measures without letting our guard down until the public can feel at ease," emphasizing, "We will ban imports of Fukushima seafood for 10 years, 100 years, or until the public feels safe." Earlier, the party and government decided at a meeting the previous day to continue the import ban on seafood from Fukushima.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Yoon criticized the Democratic Party's behavior, saying, "Given the Democratic Party's conduct so far, I am more worried about after the IAEA announcement," pointing to Park Kwang-on, the Democratic Party floor leader's remark the day before that "the report is more likely to be a Japan-tailored report rather than an objective one." Yoon said, "They have already drawn conclusions before even seeing the report, which reminds me of the medieval religious trials that blindly condemned Galileo, who advocated heliocentrism," delivering a sharp rebuke. He added, "The Democratic Party's opposition to the contaminated water discharge, calling for the government's resignation, and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions joining with strikes clearly show that the opposition's goal is to reject the presidential election results," and raised his voice, saying, "The Democratic Party maliciously stirs up election rejection sentiment to exploit it in the general election, even if fishermen and seafood merchants all perish, and the public must judge this malicious incitement politics."

Park Dae-chul, chairman of the policy committee of the same party, also said at the meeting, "The Democratic Party's claim that the contaminated water issue should be referred to the UN General Assembly because they cannot trust the IAEA verification results means they do not trust the scientific verification results of international organizations and intend to disgrace the country globally," urging, "Stop the diplomatic ignorance that opposes the report unconditionally even before the IAEA report is released."

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party decided to form a 'comprehensive control tower' to respond to Japan's contaminated water marine discharge. Currently, the Democratic Party has established the 'Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water Marine Discharge Countermeasures Committee' and the 'Fukushima Contaminated Water Floor Countermeasures Group.' Additionally, the 'Parliamentary Group to Prevent Marine Discharge on a Visit to Japan,' led by Assemblyman Ahn Min-seok, plans to visit Japan for a protest from the 10th to the 12th. Assemblyman Woo Won-shik is conducting an indefinite hunger strike. The party intends to comprehensively manage these activities and respond in an organized manner.

The Democratic Party plans to hold meetings such as an emergency supreme council meeting and an emergency parliamentary meeting to analyze the IAEA report once it is released. The day before, chief spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung told reporters, "After the emergency parliamentary meeting, there will likely be events such as a condemnation rally. We also plan to hold resolution rallies by local councils organized by the Good Local Government Council." The floor leadership is also planning to conduct inquiries on current issues at the standing committee level. On the 5th, the Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee will hold a plenary session to question radioactive waste disposal.

Assemblyman Wi Seong-gon, head of the Marine Discharge Prevention Countermeasures Committee, said in a phone interview that day, "We plan to release our position today or tomorrow once the report is out," adding, "We intend to highlight whether the IAEA is responsible for verification and whether IAEA-related contracts are being conducted with Japanese funds."

Assemblyman Lee Dong-joo, chair of the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Small Business, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall that morning with merchants belonging to the National Small Business Committee, stating, "We oppose the marine discharge of radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant," and said, "Discharging pollutants into the sea under conditions of uncertainty and risk is not discharge but illegal dumping." They demanded Japan withdraw its decision on marine discharge and urged the Yoon Seok-yeol government to oppose the discharge decision and implement provisional measures.

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