Discharge of Contaminated Water D-3... Democratic Party's All-Out Effort to Block 'Emergency Action' Declaration

This Afternoon's Emergency Lawmakers' Meeting Followed by Protest Rally
"We Will Take Emergency Action"... Outdoor Struggle Announced

As Japan decided to discharge contaminated water from Fukushima on the 24th, the Democratic Party of Korea has launched an all-out response. The Democratic Party stated that President Yoon Suk-yeol lost the 'last chance' to prevent the discharge of contaminated water during the recent South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit and is prepared to engage in off-site protests related to the Fukushima contaminated water discharge.

Park Kwang-on, the floor leader, said at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The Democratic Party will hold an emergency party meeting today to discuss what needs to be done together with the people and will take emergency action." He added, "Japan is making a decision today that will leave regrets in history. Concerns about the ecological destruction caused by the Japanese government's (nuclear power plant contaminated water) marine dumping will continue to grow."

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 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park, the floor leader, said, "The Democratic Party has proposed seven solutions, including suspending marine dumping for at least six months and establishing a permanent consultative body between South Korea and Japan to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, and has demanded efforts for a reasonable resolution," while questioning President Yoon, "Is this the new era of South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation?" He emphasized, "We will prepare all measures to minimize the decline in domestic seafood consumption that may result from Japan's marine dumping and to ensure that the ban on importing Fukushima seafood is not lifted."

The Democratic Party will hold an emergency party meeting in the afternoon to seek countermeasures regarding the contaminated water discharge. At this meeting, the party's 'Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water Marine Dumping Prevention General Countermeasures Committee' is expected to report on response plans. A resolution urging the government to take active measures is also planned. Immediately after the meeting, a rally condemning Japan's decision to discharge Fukushima contaminated water will be held at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall. Subsequently, a press conference condemning the decision will be held in front of the Japanese Embassy at the level of the General Countermeasures Committee.

In addition, the Democratic Party is expected to continue holding rallies centered on countermeasures committees organized by local party branches nationwide. Since June, the Democratic Party has held rallies in Busan, Incheon, and Seoul to oppose the contaminated water discharge and has engaged in public opinion campaigns. After the high-level strategy meeting the day before, spokesperson Park Sung-jun responded to reporters' questions about whether off-site protests were being considered by saying, "We will prepare all measures, not only off-site protests."

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