"Life with Evenings" Brings Bitter Smiles to Merchants... Quiet Noryangjin Fish Market [Report]

The Day After the IAEA Report Release, Visiting Noryangjin Fish Market
"Government Must Provide Scientific Evidence to Alleviate Anxiety"

"It's almost 10 o'clock, and you're just heading to work now?", "See, since business isn't good, now you're coming to work."

At around 9:40 a.m. on the 5th at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, merchant Jang (57, male), who was talking with a reporter outside the market gate, greeted a female merchant arriving just before 10 a.m. The market, with almost no customers, was filled only with the sound of the aquarium pumps running. Merchants were passing the idle time by using their phones or chatting with neighboring merchants. Merchant Choi (48, male) said cynically, "Recently, I have an evening life," adding, "Since business is bad, these days I come to work an hour later than usual and leave an hour earlier."

At 9:16 a.m. on the 5th, Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. With almost no customers, the merchants were either talking among themselves or sitting on chairs resting.
Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

As the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant draws near, Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market is noticeably quiet. The Japanese government plans to release the contaminated water into the ocean this summer, but anxiety has already taken hold. Merchant Lee (60, female) said, "During COVID-19, even if customers didn't come directly to the market, deliveries were still made," adding, "Now, since there is no trust in the seafood itself, inquiries about delivery have almost disappeared."

The merchants pointed out that even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s final report on the Fukushima contaminated water ocean discharge plan is insufficient to quell public anxiety about seafood, urging urgent government-level countermeasures. The IAEA announced on the 4th that the contaminated water discharge plan is scientifically safe. Choi said, "Even if the IAEA says the discharge is okay, who would trust it?" adding, "No matter how many reports come out, as long as the public cannot overcome their anxiety, there is no solution." Kim (70, female) said, "Some customers were upset, asking if it was safe to eat Japanese products," and added, "After explaining it was safe, they finally accepted it."

In fact, a consumer met here also said the IAEA report did not ease their anxiety. Customer Seo (63, female) said, "Even with the report, I don't see it as safe at all," adding, "My husband likes seafood, but he is always very worried." Seo also said she recently bought eight 20kg bags of salt and dried seaweed due to concerns about Fukushima contaminated water. Seo emphasized, "I wanted to buy ten bags, but there was a shortage of goods, so I couldn't," adding, "Although it's called a rumor, people are actually feeling anxious and making purchases."

A banner put up by all the workers was hanging on the wall of the Noryangjin Fish Market building. The banner read, "Do not cause public anxiety," and "Establish protective measures for fishery workers." Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

The merchants hope the Fukushima contaminated water issue will calm down as soon as possible, more than any government alternative. Kim said, "It seems like the issue is being prolonged for political fights, and I don't even want to watch political news on TV anymore," adding, "The ones who suffer from this political strife are the fishermen." Kim said she did not respond to domestic and international media inquiries because she did not want the issue to be prolonged. Jang also said, "The government needs to present scientific evidence well to gain trust," adding, "If they are confident in verification, taking merchants along to check together is also a method."

Voices calling for practical alternatives also emerged. Choi said, "Direct measures such as supporting utility bills and rent for merchants who are suffering damage are necessary," adding, "Issues related to seafood are the same as matters concerning our livelihood." Lee said, "Even if visiting Japan, it should not be just a visit and return; if it is safe, they should verify it thoroughly there, show it directly to the public, and promote it extensively."

Meanwhile, the government stated that it "respects" the IAEA's comprehensive report but also said that an in-depth internal analysis of the report's contents is underway.

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