Title: South Koreans Protest Japan’s Plan to Release Fukushima Wastewater
Seoul, South Korea – Hundreds of South Koreans took to the streets in protest against Japan’s decision to release treated nuclear wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. The demonstrators called on Tokyo to abandon the plan, expressing concerns about potential food safety risks and urging their government to reconsider its endorsement of the discharge.
In July, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved Japan’s discharge plans, asserting that the release would adhere to international safety standards and have minimal environmental and health impacts. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government has supported the safety of the wastewater release, viewing it as an opportunity to mend relations with Japan in the face of mounting nuclear threats from North Korea.
Although the Japanese government has not confirmed a specific date for the wastewater release, it is expected to commence this summer. In response, protestors marched through downtown Seoul wearing raincoats, holding signs that opposed the disposal of Fukushima’s contaminated water.
To alleviate concerns of food contamination and environmental risks, South Korea has been conducting radiation tests on seafood at major fish markets and analyzing sand samples from its beaches. In addition, Park Ku-yeon, the first vice minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, announced that South Korean experts are in talks with Japan to participate in monitoring the release process.
Despite these efforts, liberal opposition lawmakers accused President Yoon’s government of prioritizing bilateral ties over people’s health and announced plans to file a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Democratic Party further urged President Yoon to utilize an upcoming trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden to voice Seoul’s opposition to the wastewater release.
The issue of Fukushima wastewater has strained relations between South Korea and Japan. However, the two countries have been working towards repairing ties to address shared concerns such as North Korea’s nuclear threat and China’s assertive foreign policy.
The Fukushima plant suffered extensive damage during a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011, resulting in reactor meltdowns and contamination of the cooling water. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has been collecting, filtering, and storing the water in tanks, which are expected to reach capacity by early 2024. Japan intends to release the treated water into the sea over several decades, utilizing the Advanced Liquid Processing System to reduce the levels of certain radionuclides while retaining tritium, which officials assert is safe in small amounts.
TEPCO has pledged to conduct thorough sampling and analysis of the water to ensure its safe release, in line with IAEA standards.
As tensions intensify regarding the Fukushima wastewater issue, the South Korean and Japanese governments continue to navigate the delicate balance between addressing public concerns and maintaining diplomatic relations.
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