Lee: "Discharge of Contaminated Water is the Second Pacific War"... Democratic Party to Hold Candlelight Rally Even if It Rains

"Democratic Party to Launch All-Out Struggle"
Over 1,000 Expected to Gather for Candlelight Rally at National Assembly on 23rd

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the Japanese government's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant on the 23rd, saying, "Japan's nuclear contaminated water discharge seems likely to be recorded as the second Pacific War."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee said, "Japan, which once threatened the survival rights of neighboring countries through imperialist invasion wars, is now trying to bring an irreversible disaster to South Korea and the Pacific coastal countries by discharging nuclear contaminated water."

He said, "If Japan discharges the contaminated water from the nuclear power plant, our fisheries industry will be completely destroyed," adding, "Merchants are outraged, saying 'the worst-case scenario we never imagined has come true,' but the Yoon Seok-yeol government announced that 'Japan's discharge is not a problem.' However, they also added that they neither support nor endorse the discharge."

Lee questioned, "Is this a play on words aimed at deceiving the public? Both sophistry and deceiving the people should have limits," emphasizing, "If there is even a speck of concern for the people left, the government should boldly declare its opposition."

He continued, "The Democratic Party will launch an all-out struggle with the people," and said, "Starting with the candlelight rally this evening, including weekend outdoor protests, we will hold the Yoon Seok-yeol government accountable for betraying the people by using every possible means."

On the same day, the Democratic Party will hold a candlelight rally urging the withdrawal of the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water ocean dumping in front of the main stairs of the National Assembly at 7:30 p.m.

Park Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, responded to reporters' questions after the meeting about whether the candlelight rally would be held regardless of the weather, saying, "Even if it rains, raincoats are prepared and the event is scheduled." It is expected that about 1,000 people, including Lee Jae-myung, affiliated lawmakers, aides, party officials, and city and district council members, will gather at the event.

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