Kim Kihyun Criticizes Opposition for "Predetermined Agitation Over Wastewater to Impeach Yoon"

"Refusing to Trust the IAEA Is Abandoning Our Responsibility as a Member of the International Community"
Emphasizing the Need to Play the Role of Watchdog Going Forward

On July 5, Kim Kihyun, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the opposition for refusing to trust the final report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the safety of Japan's Fukushima wastewater discharge, calling it "predetermined agitation aimed at toppling the Yoon Suk Yeol administration."

At the "Ulsan Regional Livelihood Budget Policy Council" held at Ulsan City Hall that morning, Kim stated, "Just as one of the leaders of the mad cow disease protests said, the goal was to impeach the Lee Myung Bak administration; now, the wastewater issue is merely a stepping stone and a means to bring down the Yoon Suk Yeol government. The opposition's refusal to trust the report is a clear example of their predetermined agitation." At the People Power Party's general assembly on July 3, Min Kyungwoo, co-leader of the Alternative Solidarity, commented on the 2008 mad cow disease incident, describing it as "a massive anti-government struggle in protest of Lee Myung Bak's presidential election victory." Min was involved in the anti-mad cow disease movement at that time.

Kim Kihyun, Leader of the People Power Party (Photo by Yonhap News)

Kim went on to say, "There is likely a hidden agenda behind this, such as impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol, forcing the administration to step down, and strategizing for the general election. The IAEA is the most authoritative and professional organization in this field, and refusing to trust its nuclear safety inspection results is tantamount to abandoning our responsibilities as a responsible member of the international community."

He emphasized that the next step should be to play the role of a "watchdog." Kim stated, "The People Power Party and the Yoon Suk Yeol administration will continue to expand marine monitoring sites, increase seafood safety inspections, and implement measures to reassure the public. Above all, the Japanese government must be reminded of its duty, as a monitoring state, to provide sincere explanations and verification to neighboring countries, including the Republic of Korea."

Kim further added, "Our government must also do its utmost to provide safe seafood through monitoring and other measures. As the responsible ruling party, we will ensure that the vast majority of good citizens are not exploited for the opposition's political purposes."

Kim also stated, "The government of the Republic of Korea will maintain a complete ban on the import of Fukushima seafood for 30, 50, or even 100 years-until the public feels fully reassured."

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