Deputy Minister of Oceans and Fisheries: "Special Law on Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Raises Concerns of Insufficient Safety... Current Laws Are Adequate"

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has clearly expressed its de facto opposition to a special law aimed at supporting fishermen affected by the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. This stance is based on the judgment that the special law could be misinterpreted as the government acknowledging safety concerns regarding seafood due to the contaminated water.

On the 10th, Park Seong-hoon, Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated at a press briefing in Sejong City, "There are issues that can be resolved through a special law related to the discharge of nuclear power plant contaminated water, and others that cannot. The current laws can also encompass the contents of the special law."

Vice Minister Park emphasized, "There is actually something to lose. The enactment of a special law would also be evidence that the safety of our seafood is insufficient," adding, "The government is not considering the special law at all." He further noted, "The budget for responding to the nuclear power plant contaminated water, including promoting seafood consumption, has increased to 731.9 billion won, and it is important to use this effectively."

Regarding seafood consumption trends after the discharge of contaminated water, Vice Minister Park said, "Overall, there has been no contraction in consumption." In fact, he explained that in the four weeks following the discharge on August 24, seafood sales at the three major large supermarkets increased, and sales at stores in Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market also rose by about 40%.

Park Seong-hoon, Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries (center), is attending the daily briefing on the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 12th, and is presenting the current status of safety management of seafood in our waters. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

However, he added, "It is too early to definitively say there has been no decline in consumption," and said, "We will always remain vigilant, closely monitor consumption trends, and use prepared policies to ensure that those working in the fisheries industry have no cause for concern."

Vice Minister Park also conveyed, "At the London Convention and London Protocol Parties' meeting on the 5th, the Korean government stated that the contaminated water from Fukushima must be handled safely and rationally, and that related information should be shared transparently."

Regarding whether the discharge of contaminated water can be discussed as 'marine dumping' under the London Convention and London Protocol, he elaborated, "Countries like Japan and the United States said it is not a subject for discussion, and China did not claim this issue as 'dumping' but expressed the need for in-depth discussion on whether it falls under 'artificial structures.'"

Vice Minister Park stated that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will do its utmost to support the bid for the Busan Expo. He also announced efforts to reduce carbon emissions, such as establishing green shipping routes mentioned by President Yoon Seok-yeol, developing zero-carbon and low-carbon ships, and supporting the development of autonomous ship navigation technology.

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