Opposition Launches Full-Scale Protests Outside Fukushima vs Ruling Party Calls It "Anti-National Act"

Ruling Party: "Spreading Fear of Contaminated Water to Cover Internal Troubles"
Opposition: "Shifting Responsibility to the Opposition"

On the 25th, the second day of Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge into the ocean, the ruling and opposition parties continued their blame game over safety and seafood damage. The opposition party began full-scale outdoor protests, including a street march from Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to the Yongsan Presidential Office, while the ruling party, visiting fishing sites expected to be affected by the contaminated water, countered the opposition's offensive by calling it a "treasonous act."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, held an on-site meeting titled 'Protecting Our Seafood' at the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and said regarding the Democratic Party's offensive on contaminated water, "It is absolutely unacceptable and tantamount to a treasonous act to paint our innocent and clean marine products with radioactive contamination, severely damaging the livelihoods of fishermen and those engaged in the fisheries industry." He added, "The opposition irresponsibly stirs vague anxieties with rumors and agitation solely to gain political advantage. They are trying to reenact the bad past that benefited from mad cow disease rumors," criticizing, "Such behavior is no different from a boycott of our seafood."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, also criticized the Democratic Party at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, saying, "Stop the contaminated water rumor agitation politics for party interests immediately." Yoon said, "I hope the Democratic Party stops pointless outdoor protests and sits at the negotiation table to gather opinions on support for fishermen and damage prevention measures through reasonable and rational discussions."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party also said that the special law to provide compensation support payments to fishermen and claim damages from Japan is "out of order," adding, "What the Democratic Party should do now is stop reckless agitation and reassure the public based on facts to prevent further damage to fishermen and related workers."

On the other hand, the Democratic Party sharply criticized the opposition party, which is concerned about the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water damage, for calling it 'fake news,' calling it "absurd agitation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, and Park Kwang-on, the floor leader, along with other Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers, are condemning the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant at an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, "The government, which allowed the discharge of contaminated water, putting fishermen's livelihoods and public health at risk, is the source of fake news," emphasizing, "The discharge of contaminated water was not inevitable. It could have been sufficiently prevented in advance."

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also criticized, "Prime Minister Han Duck-soo claims that the biggest threat to our people is 'fake news and false agitation,' and shifts responsibility to the opposition and the public, saying that the fisheries industry is threatened because of this. That is truly fake news and absurd agitation," questioning, "Has the government ever taken reliable measures for the people?"

He urged the government and ruling party to hurry if they sincerely care about the fisheries industry and proposed three measures. Park said, "The Japanese government's (nuclear contaminated water) ocean dumping suspension measures should be sought even now," and "A complete ban on seafood imports related to this should also be considered." He also demanded participation in the four special safety measures bills adopted as party policy by the Democratic Party the day before, substantial support to the domestic fisheries industry through supplementary budgets, and pursuing compensation claims against Tokyo Electric Power Company. The Democratic Party adopted four bills as party policy at the party meeting the previous day: the Agricultural Disaster Countermeasures Act, the revised law related to the origin labeling of agricultural and fishery products, the support law for fishermen affected by the Fukushima contaminated water discharge, and the special law for banning and promoting the import of seafood exposed to radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

On the same day, the Democratic Party will hold a 'National March to Stop Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water Dumping' from Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to the Yongsan Presidential Office. They will hold a rally in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office and deliver a petition demanding a full investigation of seafood. Additionally, Kim Sung-hwan, head of the strategy headquarters of the countermeasures committee, will hold an emergency press conference regarding the 'London Convention.' On the weekend of the 26th, they will hold the first large-scale rally with civil society at Gwanghwamun. After the meeting, spokesperson Kang Sun-woo said in response to reporters' questions about the Fukushima-related outdoor protests, "The Democratic Party will take thorough emergency response measures," adding, "A national rally is scheduled for 4 p.m. tomorrow."

Also, on the 27th, a delegation will attend a Fukushima rally mainly organized by the Japanese opposition party, and additional countermeasures are expected to be discussed at the lawmakers' workshop scheduled for the 28th and 29th. On the 1st, when the regular September National Assembly session opens, a rally is being prepared at the National Assembly.

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