Intensified Dispute Over 'Contaminated Water'... Ruling Party: "Using Children for Propaganda," Opposition: "Acting as Japan's Spokesperson"

As Possibility of Release Increases by Month-End
Democratic Party Submits Petition to UN Human Rights Council
People Power Party Criticizes Previous Day's Meeting Event Fiercely

As reports emerged that the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima could begin as early as the end of this month, the political tensions between the ruling and opposition parties have intensified on the 9th.

The People Power Party strongly criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for holding a meeting with children and adolescents to oppose the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, calling it 'child abuse.'

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, posted on his Facebook on the same day, pointing out, "The Democratic Party's child abuse, which consumes the human rights of 6-8-year-old children as kindling for 'professional politicians,' is despicable." Kim said, "Using children as tools for political agitation is something that would only happen in extreme totalitarian states that mobilize children for leader idolization and regime propaganda," adding, "This is what the Workers' Party of Korea in North Korea does, and yet the vast majority of political parties in the Republic of Korea are doing the same."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting participants at the meeting between children, adolescents, and caregivers to prevent the ocean dumping of Fukushima contaminated water held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Park Dae-chul, chairman of the Policy Committee, criticized on Facebook, "The Democratic Party called children 'activists' and made them condemn the president and Japan," adding, "Representatives of the major opposition party and members of the National Assembly took pictures holding signs full of political slogans with children." Park said, "I could hardly believe my eyes and ears. I thought it was North Korea," and criticized, "Is it appropriate for adults to drag children into political agitation?" He called it "dangerous 'contaminated politics' that even stains innocence with false agitation, and 'desperate politics' that should never be done as human beings beyond politics," emphasizing, "Children should learn science, not propaganda and agitation."

Park Soo-young, director of the Yeouido Institute, also pointed out, "Such behavior of using children as tools for political agitation is the same as North Korea's practice of mobilizing children for leader idolization and regime propaganda," adding, "Perhaps due to my ignorance, I have no memory of China mobilizing children aged 6 to 10."

Yoo Sang-beom, chief spokesperson, said in a statement, "It is no different from taking children hostage to prepare for the general election," and criticized, "As the fear-mongering agitation politics no longer works as intended, Lee Jae-myung has resorted to exploiting children's innocence for emotional appeal, an inhumane and irrational act for which he should apologize to the people first."

The Democratic Party also escalated its offensive. On the same day, the Democratic Party leadership held a signing ceremony at the National Assembly to submit a petition to the United Nations Human Rights Council to prevent the marine dumping of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. They argued that Japan's marine discharge of Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water lacks sufficient scientific safety measures and violates various international agreements.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In the petition, the Democratic Party pointed out that additional discharge of contaminated water should not occur without strict radiation risk assessment, that the principle that benefits must outweigh losses from the discharge was violated, that the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) did not properly verify the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), that a radioactive environmental impact assessment reflecting the so-called 'Cesium rockfish' was not conducted, and that Japan's failure to provide proper data limited access to information.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at an expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government consistently acts as Japan's spokesperson, putting the safety of the people last," adding, "They maintain the position that the timing of the discharge is a matter for Japan to decide, without even expressing regret." Lee said, "I hope the government proposes an alternative to share the cost burden with neighboring countries," adding, "The reason the Japanese government is discharging nuclear contaminated water is cost. They are discharging it while causing damage to neighboring countries and the entire world because they are reluctant to spend money. I request our government to propose that neighboring countries bear the cost and prevent marine discharge by using concrete or other methods." He also added, "Since they are behaving almost like bullies, isn't it something we can do to reduce the damage?"

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the expanded party officers meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park Chan-dae, senior member of the Democratic Party, said at the meeting, "If nuclear wastewater and marine dumping are tolerated, our people will not remain silent," and pointed out, "Since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol government 15 months ago, I have deeply felt how the incompetence and irresponsibility of those in charge of state affairs have harmed our country and people."

Seo Young-kyo, also a senior member, said, "It is truly outrageous that Prime Minister Kishida asks the President of the Republic of Korea to support the discharge of contaminated water," adding, "It is infuriating how much the President of the Republic of Korea has been looked down upon by Japan."

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