Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok: "We Will Strongly Respond to Prevent Japan's Nuclear Wastewater Discharge into the Ocean"

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, expressed a strong stance to take vigorous action to prevent the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

On the 26th, in a statement regarding Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant, Governor Kim strongly criticized the Japanese government, saying, "It is a sin against humanity that the Japanese government decided to discharge into the ocean and has been implementing it since October 2022 despite opposition from related countries and its own citizens."

Governor Kim cited Tokyo Electric Power Company's 2018 data showing that more than 70% of the contaminated water stored in tanks exceeds radiation standards.

He argued, "There is no evidence that radioactive contaminated water is safe even if it is treated and diluted when discharged into the Pacific Ocean," and added, "Discharging radioactive contaminated water into the ocean, which is a common asset of all humanity, goes beyond irresponsibility and means exposing humanity and marine ecosystems to radiation."

In particular, he said, "As the governor of Jeonnam Province, responsible for the coastal waters of Jeonnam, the number one seafood production base in the Republic of Korea, I must protect the people's safe food and marine ecosystems," and stated, "The best solution to the contaminated water treatment problem is to bury the contaminated water storage tanks deep underground."

He continued, "The Japanese government should stop preparations related to ocean discharge, switch to a policy for long-term storage within the country, and transparently disclose all data and information about the nuclear power plant contaminated water to the Republic of Korea and neighboring countries."

Meanwhile, Governor Kim plans to express this position and take joint action at the Korea-Japan Strait Coastal Provincial Governors' Meeting scheduled for the 27th.