Gyeongnam University Students "Demand Enactment of Radiation Safety Meal Ordinance"

University students in the Gyeongnam region have taken collective action to oppose the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan into the ocean.

The Anti-Nuclear Contaminated Water Dumping Gyeongnam University Student Action Group held a press conference on the 18th in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, urging a complete ban on the import of Japanese seafood and the enactment of a radiation safety meal ordinance.

The Anti-Nuclear Wastewater Dumping Action Group of university students in the Gyeongnam region is holding a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

They stated, "The reason we are here at this time, skipping classes, is because we want to live safely, continue eating healthy seafood in the future, protect the ocean, and are concerned about the survival of fishermen and those working in the fisheries industry."

They demanded the adoption of a resolution for a complete ban on the import of Japanese seafood, saying, "Japan has already dumped nuclear contaminated water into the ocean twice, and many countries including China have completely banned the import of Japanese seafood, saying they cannot trust it."

"Imported Japanese seafood is widely used in group meal facilities such as schools and the military, and is naturally used as ingredients in university cafeterias that provide meals at low prices, which will threaten food safety," they said.

Students from the Gyeongnam regional university student action group opposing the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water are delivering signatures to officials at the Gyeongnam Provincial Council.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

They continued, "Gyeongnam has many areas adjacent to the sea, and the proportion of fishermen engaged in fishing and self-employed people using seafood as ingredients is also high," and raised their voices, saying, "We must completely ban the import of Japanese seafood and enact a radiation safety meal ordinance to ensure the food safety of the residents."

"Currently, the three radiation-related ordinances in Gyeongnam do not explicitly mention nuclear contaminated water or radiation, nor do they properly establish supply and management systems for food ingredients, so their effectiveness is low," they emphasized, adding, "An ordinance that can properly guarantee the food safety of residents is needed."

Immediately after the press conference, they delivered to the Provincial Council 2,666 signatures collected from Gyeongnam National University, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju National University of Education, and Changwon National University since September 20, urging the enactment of the ordinance.

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