The Opposition Raising Candles, 'Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Protest Rally'... Emergency Action Initiated

Resolution to Block Contaminated Water Discharge Passed at Democratic Party Meeting on 22nd
Protest Visit to Japanese Embassy and Candlelight Rally Scheduled for 23rd

The Democratic Party of Korea is launching emergency actions, including holding a 'candlelight rally' to condemn the Japanese government's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The party plans to make a protest visit to the Japanese embassy and hold a rally in solidarity with civil society, committing to an all-out response.

Representative Lee Jae-myung, Floor Leader Park Kwang-on, and other members of the Democratic Party of Korea are shouting slogans at the rally condemning the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, held on the stairs of the Rotunda Hall in the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim Han-kyu, the party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 22nd, "First, we plan to designate a 'period of emergency action' and organize a condemnation rally together with external civic groups at the party level." He added, "Plans were discussed to dispatch party lawmakers to international organizations and for lawmakers to visit the Japanese embassy to protest. We have gathered the will to continuously act to stop the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water, as the international community and domestic civil society are aware that the discharge is scheduled to continue for a considerable period even after it begins."

Initially, the Democratic Party intended to set the 'period of emergency action' from the time of the discharge decision until the actual discharge day, but since the Japanese government decided to start discharging the Fukushima contaminated water on the 24th, they are also considering extending the emergency action period until the end of this month.

On the same afternoon, the Democratic Party made a protest visit to the Japanese embassy and plans to hold a candlelight rally at the National Assembly on the evening of the 23rd.

Spokesperson Kim said, "We are preparing a candlelight rally in front of the main building of the National Assembly, where lawmakers and party members will participate together." The Democratic Party explained that the candlelight rally aims to raise public awareness and strengthen the resolve to respond. It is expected that about 1,000 people, including party leader Lee Jae-myung, affiliated lawmakers, aides, party officials, and local council members from the Seoul City Party's regional committees, will gather on the steps in front of the National Assembly's main building.

In mid-September, they are also considering dispatching affiliated lawmakers to international organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to express opposition.

Kim said, "Since the discharge date was suddenly set, there is not enough time. However, the discharge will not be completed in one day on the 24th but will continue over the next 30 years, so there is always a possibility to stop it. We plan to designate a focused 'period of emergency action' during this opportunity to voice our opinions."

Representative Lee Jae-myung, Floor Leader Park Kwang-on, and other members of the Democratic Party of Korea are shouting slogans at the rally condemning the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, held on the stairs of the Rotunda Hall in the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, Democratic Party lawmakers adopted a 'Resolution condemning the marine dumping of Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water' at the party meeting. In the resolution, they condemned the discharge decision as "a selfish and irresponsible act that has turned the ocean, the foundation of all life on Earth, into a nuclear waste dump for their own country," and demanded, "Stop the nuclear power plant contaminated water terrorism against the entire world immediately."

They also criticized the government, stating, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration bears significant responsibility for Japan's reckless decision. Despite over 80% public opposition, it ignored the people and, under the guise of science, sided solely with Japan, promoting the safety of the contaminated water according to Japan's preferences and supporting the Japanese government's wrong decision." They added, "The Yoon government must offer a profound apology to the people." The Democratic Party emphasized, "We will unite the voices of the people and launch an all-out struggle to revoke Japan's decision to dump nuclear power plant contaminated water into the ocean."

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