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Gov't accused of defending Japan in daily briefing on Fukushima wastewater
Environmental activists hold a press conference in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Thursday, to protest Japan's planned release of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Newsis
By Park Jae-hyuk
Gov't downplays poll showing 84% of Koreans object to discharge
By Park Jae-hyuk
Opposition parties and civic groups are criticizing the government's decision to present a media briefing every weekday on Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean.
Although the government explains the briefing is intended to dispel groundless concerns among the public about the safety of seafood, critics claim that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is defending the discharge on behalf of the Japanese government.
During the first daily briefing, Thursday, Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Song Sang-keun addressed recent news reports about consumers in Korea hoarding sea salt ahead of the wastewater release, reiterating that seafood products in Korea have been managed safely.
“With fewer days with rainfall and more amounts of sunshine, the production of sun-dried salt has recovered this month, so there will be no problem with the production,” he said. “Even if the price of sea salt continues to rise, the government will consider buying salt to sell on the market at lower prices.”
He also emphasized once again that it is too early to discuss compensation for potential damage fishermen suffer from declines in domestic seafood consumption due to concerns over the release of the radioactive wastewater into the ocean.
Regarding a recent survey in which a majority of respondents opposed the wastewater release, Park Gu-yeon, first vice minister of Government Policy Coordination, said it is inappropriate for the government to make a decision based on an opinion poll.
According to a survey conducted jointly by Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, and Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun and released, Thursday, 84 percent of Korean respondents oppose the release of wastewater, while 60 percent of Japanese respondents support the release.
“The results of opinion polls could be different, depending on their methods and questions,” he said.
Heo Gyun-young, a professor at the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Kyung Hee University, who was invited to the briefing as an expert from the private sector, backed the government by coming up with data supporting the claim that Korean seas will be safe even after the discharge.
“If the wastewater is discharged into the sea, it will be easier to dilute radioactive substances and monitor the environmental effects,” he said.
Park Gu-yeon, left, first vice minister of Government Policy Coordination, speaks during a press briefing on the release of Fukushima wastewater at the Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Critics regarded their remarks as an effort to justify Japan's decision.
Rep. Lee Yong-woo of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pointed out that the government's unilateral claim showed its arrogance, failing to address public concerns properly. Lee Jeong-mi, chairwoman of the minor opposition Justice Party, urged the government to prioritize protesting the discharge.
“It felt like the Japanese government was giving the briefing,” said an office worker in his 30s who watched a live broadcast of the briefing.
A group of environmental activists said they will start a daily rally in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul from Thursday, to protest the planned discharge and ask the Korean government to take more effective countermeasures.
“Concerns and suspicions are growing among the public,” the activists said as they were banned from delivering a letter of protest to the Japanese Embassy.
Amid the lingering controversy, concerns have not only grown among fishermen, but also among food makers and retailers about a possible decrease in the consumption of seafood products.
In response, Daesang is considering using rock salt or lake salt as alternatives and importing seafood from European countries instead of Asian countries. Lotte Mart said it will conduct radioactivity inspections on seafood more frequently.