Handuksoo: "No Worries About Japan's Contaminated Water, Fake News and False Propaganda Threaten the People"

Start of Fukushima Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Discharge on 24th
Emergency Fisheries Management Stabilization Fund to Be Expanded 5 Times
"Trust the Government and Believe in Science"

On the afternoon of the 24th, when the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan began, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivered a statement regarding the discharge of contaminated water at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo declared on the 24th, "If the Japanese government proceeds with the discharge according to the measures previously announced, South Korea has no significant reason to worry." Rather, Prime Minister Han criticized, "The greatest threat to the people is fake news not based on science and false agitation for political gain."

On the 24th, when the Japanese government began discharging contaminated water, Prime Minister Han made this statement through a public address at the Government Seoul Office. He said, "Our government expects and urges the Japanese government to transparently and responsibly disclose information throughout the discharge process, which will continue for about 30 years," adding, "It would have been best if there were no discharge at all, but under the current circumstances, there is no need for the public to worry excessively, which is a consensus among experts worldwide."

He continued, "Our fisheries are being threatened by baseless agitation claiming that our seas will be polluted due to Fukushima contaminated water," pointing out, "Such agitation and fake news not only threaten the livelihoods of fishermen but also damage the nation's trust and the proper health rights of the people." He further stated, "There must never be any confusion caused among the public by incorrect information. The government will secure transparent information from the international community and the Japanese government and will thoroughly monitor our seas, the waters near Japan, and the Pacific Ocean."

Prime Minister Han also promised, "At the same time, we will implement various support measures to protect our fisheries." He declared, "We are executing the largest-ever budget of 64 billion won for revitalizing seafood consumption as quickly as possible," and "We will also reflect sufficient additional contingency funds to respond to consumption contraction and provide support." Next year's support scale will be more than double that of this year, and seafood stockpiling and purchasing for price stabilization will be supported at the largest scale ever. Emergency management stabilization funds for fisheries will be increased fivefold, and temporary measures to raise loan limits will also be implemented.

Prime Minister Han stated, "The government has devoted efforts over the past several years to prepare practical measures to protect the health and safety of the people ahead of Japan's Fukushima contaminated water discharge," adding, "Placing the health and safety of the people as the top priority, our consistent goal and principle across successive governments have been to negotiate with the international community and the Japanese government based solely on science and international law to derive the best safety measures that our people can accept."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han appealed, "The government is moving forward solely considering national interests and the safety of the people," and "I ask the public to also view this matter rationally and with a long-term perspective. Please trust the government and trust science."

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