Foreign ministry, opposition party clash over Fukushima wastewater release
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), enters his party's office at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. The slogan emblazoned on the wall behind him reads “Discharge of Fukushima wastewater into the ocean is radiation terrorism.” Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are clashing as the party seeks to take collective action with Pacific Rim nations against Japan's planned release of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
The foreign ministry and the opposition party seem to be on the same page that Tokyo's imminent wastewater release from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is a shared concern for Korea and the Pacific nations. However, the DPK sees that Korea should immediately unite with the Pacific countries against Japan, while the foreign ministry views that the matter should be handled prudently based on the results of the ongoing safety reviews.
Last week, the DPK sent official letters to the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member countries calling for collective actions against Tokyo's imminent discharge of the wastewater as Japan is currently making final preparations to carry on with its plan once the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gives the greenlight, wrapping up its ongoing safety inspection.
The Pacific Island Forum (PIF) is a group of 18 independent and self-governing states in the region.
“Our party did what the government failed to do,” DPK floor leader Rep. Park Kwang-on said during a party meeting, Monday.
He also refuted the foreign ministry's statement expressing regrets about his party's move.
Mentioning the ministry's statement released the previous day, Park argued, “It is unclear whether the National Assembly and political parties should refrain from pursuing international solidarity concerning the lives and safety of the public, or whether we are only expected to only engage in activities praising or supporting the government.”
He went on to say that sending the letter to the PIF was a part of the diplomatic activities by the parliament to represent the voices of the public.
On Sunday, the foreign ministry sent a text message to reporters expressing regret that the DPK has undermined the government's unified diplomatic approach on the Fukushima wastewater release.
“The letter, which does not provide any scientific basis, disregards not only the joint efforts for safety review (on the treated wastewater), by the international community including the IAEA, as well as the research conducted by our own country,” the statement read.
It also said the DPK's action is disrespectful of the ministry's role of engaging in diplomatic activities as a government organization with the constitutional authority to do so.
“Criticism against the government is allowed, but the approach to expressing such criticism differs in domestic and international contexts,” Foreign Minister Park Jin told reporters, Monday, implying that the opposition party's move was inappropriate.
Ruling People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Yun Jae-ok, center, eats raw fish at Garak Market in Songpa District, Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of PPP
The ruling People Power Party (PPP), meanwhile, is displaying all-out efforts to alleviate public concerns that clean marine products may no longer be available once Japan begins to release the radioactive wastewater. They accused DPK lawmakers of spreading groundless rumors that the released wastewater in the ocean will contaminate local seafood.
The PPP members have been visiting local seafood markets to reassure consumers and show their support for owners of seafood businesses who worry that their sales will drop following the wastewater release. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also joined the PPP's move by visiting Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, Sunday.