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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Thousands rally in Seoul to protest Fukushima wastewater release

Thousands of people hold a rally in Seoul, Aug. 26, to protest Japan's release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. YonhapThousands of people rallied in Seoul, Saturday, to protest Japan's release of radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.The rally was held near City Hall, with the participation of some 90 civic groups who have formed a coalition to protest the water release, and members of four opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).Occupying four car lanes, the protesters chanted slogans and held up signs reading: "Retract disposal of Fukushima contaminated water," and "Denounce the Yoon Suk Yeol administration."The rally came two days after Japan began to release the water into the Pacific Ocean despite lingering concerns in South Korea and China about its potential impact on the environment and people's health.Japan's move came after the International Atomic Energy Agency green-lit the wastewater's disposal into the ocean."Japan has crossed a line that should

Aug 26, 2023
Thousands rally in Seoul to protest Fukushima wastewater release
  • How safe is wastewater discharged from Fukushima?
  • 4 Korean lawmakers attend rally in Japan's Fukushima against radioactive water release
  • Fukushima water release: why China's ban on Japanese seafood could backfire
  • 2 under investigation for attempting to march toward Japanese Consulate in Busan following Fukushima protest
  • Korean experts depart for Japan to monitor Fukushima water release

Yoon, first lady meet with children at Yongsan park

President Yoon Suk Yeol poses with children during an event held for families with multiple children at Yongsan Children's Garden near the presidential office in Seoul, Aug. 26, in this photo provided by the office. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee made a surprise visit to a family event held at Yongsan Children's Garden, Saturday, according to the presidential office.Wearing matching shirts, Yoon and Kim met with the event's participants ― families with two or more children ― at the newly opened fountain garden inside the park near the presidential office building in Yongsan, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said.The president and the first lady took photos with the children, and asked them how old they were and whether they were enjoying playing in the water, Lee said in a written press briefing.The children also took part in hula hoop exercises, dancing like K-pop stars and games arranged by the event's organizers.After meeting with the children, Yoon also stopped at the adjacent baseball field to cheer for two teams that were in the middle of a match

Aug 26, 2023
Yoon, first lady meet with children at Yongsan park

Students released from custody after attempting to enter Japanese Embassy

Police released 16 university students Saturday who were detained for attempting to enter the Japanese Embassy in central Seoul to protest Japan's discharge of radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.On Thursday, the students attempted to enter the Japanese Embassy, while chanting slogans against the discharge of the wastewater.The police held them at four police stations on charges of trespassing and violating the Assembly and Demonstrations Act.Police said they will decide later whether to refer them to the prosecution for further investigation.Japan began releasing the first batch of the treated wastewater from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean Thursday, despite concerns from neighboring countries and fishing groups in the region. (Yonhap)

Aug 26, 2023
Students released from custody after attempting to enter Japanese Embassy

US reaffirms support for Japan's release of treated water

Lawmakers and party officials of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, including party chief Lee Jae-myung, second from left, march toward the presidential office after staging a protest at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Aug. 25, calling for Japan to stop the discharge of treated, contaminated wastewater from its nuclear power plant in Fukushima. Yonhap The United States reaffirmed Friday its support for the release of treated radioactive water from Japan's destroyed nuclear power plant in Fukushima, calling it safe and transparent.Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the Department of State, also said the U.S. is happy with the level of transparency Japan has shown in the lead up to the release, which began Thursday (KST)."Japan has been open and transparent as it has sought to responsibly manage the Fukushima Daiichi site and the eventual release of treated water, proactively coordinating with scientists and partners from across the Indo-Pacific region as well

Aug 26, 2023
US reaffirms support for Japan's release of treated water
  • How safe is wastewater discharged from Fukushima?

Ex-president and ruling party lawmaker clash online over Fukushima water release

Former President Moon Jae-in / Courtesy of Democratic Party of KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeFormer President Moon Jae-in was engaged in a heated online confrontation with Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the ruling People Power Party over their views on Japan's release of treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.The battle began after Ha wrote on his Facebook, Thursday, that the former president should know that Japan's wastewater release would have little impact on the waters surrounding Korea.“At the time, Moon's foreign minister said the government will follow the decision to be made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” Ha wrote. “Supporters of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea should face up to the reality.”The comments came amid intensifying protests from the opposition party over the Fukushima release. The party has argued that the release would pose great health risks to people, with Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung denouncing it “as an act of terror.”In April 2021, when Moon was in power, the Japa

Aug 25, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Ex-president and ruling party lawmaker clash online over Fukushima water release

Questions mount over accuracy of government's Fukushima wastewater video view count

This captured image shows the YouTube video, created by the Korean government, about Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. Captured from YouTubeBy Jun Ji-hyeA YouTube video, created by the Korean government to mitigate anxiety over Japan's release of contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, has garnered more than 16 million views in less than two months. However doubts have arisen regarding the possible manipulation of view counts as other videos created by the government have generated only about 300 to 2,000 views.Chin Jung-kwon, a political critic and professor at Kwangwoon University in Seoul, ridiculed the “impressive” view counts, saying only K-pop stars such as BTS could have managed to garner such a number. Japan began discharging the first batch of wastewater into the ocean on Thursday despite concerns raised by neighboring countries and fishing groups in the region.The video in question was uploaded on July 7 to the government's official YouTube channel.The video, titled “Ko

Aug 25, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Questions mount over accuracy of government's Fukushima wastewater video view count
  • Korean firms face backlash over plan to serve more seafood at cafeterias

Gov't mulls designating Oct. 2 temporary holiday

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a meeting to assess the national integration committee's first year of activities at the presidential office in Seoul, Aug. 25. YonhapThe government is considering designating Oct. 2 a temporary holiday to bridge the Chuseok fall harvest holiday and National Foundation Day, a presidential official said Friday.This year's Chuseok holiday will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, which means the designation would create a six-day extended holiday through Oct. 3."We received a proposal from the ruling People Power Party to designate a temporary holiday," the official told Yonhap News Agency. "We're currently in the reviewing stage."The PPP reportedly made the recommendation based on political considerations, as the extended holiday could help boost domestic consumption and revive the economy.It would be the first such designation under the current administration. (Yonhap)

Aug 25, 2023
Gov't mulls designating Oct. 2 temporary holiday

Yoon appoints new broadcasting watchdog chief despite controversy

Lee Dong-kwan, then nominee for chief of the Korea Communications Commission, speaks during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 18. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol appointed the new chief of the state broadcasting watchdog Friday, his office said, despite controversy over his son's alleged bullying and suspicions he exercised undue influence over media firms.Yoon approved the appointment of Lee Dong-kwan, a former journalist who served as a senior secretary for press affairs during the Lee Myung-bak administration, as head of the Korea Communications Commission, his office said in a notice to the press.The decision comes despite objections from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over allegations Lee exercised undue influence in personnel affairs at state broadcaster KBS when he was serving as a press affairs official at the presidential office from 2008-2011.Lee also came under attack over allegations that his son bullied fellow students in high school in 2011.Lee underwent a parliamentary confirmation hearing but the National Assembly fail

Aug 25, 2023
Yoon appoints new broadcasting watchdog chief despite controversy

Opposition leader labels Yoon as 'accomplice' in Japan's environmental terrorism

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 25. YonhapThe leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Friday denounced Japan's release of contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant as an act of crime against humanity, even labeling President Yoon Suk Yeol as an accomplice.Rep. Lee Jae-myung made the remarks as Tokyo initiated the discharge of contaminated water a day earlier, a process expected to span more than three decades, despite lingering health and environmental concerns from neighboring countries."Japan has ultimately chosen the path of an environmental war criminal," Lee said during a party meeting, adding that the administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would be recorded in history as the criminal that committed environmental terrorism against humanity.The DPK has strongly opposed the Fukushima release plan, arguing that it poses great health risks. However, the Yoon administration has stated that the release would po

Aug 25, 2023
Opposition leader labels Yoon as 'accomplice' in Japan's environmental terrorism

Parliament passes revision to election law, ending election banner chaos

This photo shows political banners in the streets of Seoul, Aug. 1. YonhapThe National Assembly on Thursday approved an election law revision banning political posters or banners on the streets until 120 days prior to polling day.Political banners have mushroomed on the streets since the Constitutional Court struck down an election law clause banning political banners until 180 days before an election day, citing freedom of political expression.The chaos continued as the ruling and the main opposition parties failed to come up with a revision, resulting in anyone being allowed to distribute or hang election-related political banners and printed materials on the streets.But the rival parties recently reached agreement on a revision and passed it Thursday.Under Thursday's revision to the Public Official Election Act, the banning period will be shortened from the previous 180 days to 120 days, and other types of promotional materials will also be included under the restriction. (Yonhap)

Aug 24, 2023
Parliament passes revision to election law, ending election banner chaos
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