"Japan, the Pacific Pollution Crime Nation Itself" Governor Yang Seung-jo Proposes Nationwide City and Province Joint Response

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] “The Japanese government has decided not only to bear the disgrace of being a ‘Pacific war criminal country’ but also to become a ‘Pacific pollution crime country.’”

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungnam Province, sharply criticized Japan on Facebook on the 13th. This was in response to the Japanese government’s decision to release contaminated water containing radioactive materials from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean.

Governor Yang stated, “Approximately 1.25 million tons of highly concentrated contaminated water are stored at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant,” and criticized, “The Japanese government’s plan to discharge this into the sea is no different from Japan deciding to become a Pacific pollution crime country itself.”

He especially noted, “Even Japanese civic groups proposed ‘mortar solidification disposal,’ which involves storing the contaminated water in large above-ground tanks or sealing it with concrete, but the Japanese government decided on ‘ocean discharge’ citing cost as an excuse,” and expressed concern that “neighboring countries will have to suffer from the fear of radiation for hundreds of years to come.”

He added, “Greenpeace has issued a warning message that South Korea is the most at risk among Pacific coastal countries,” and emphasized, “Accordingly, Chungnam Province will prepare and implement strong countermeasures against the Japanese government’s release of radioactive contaminated water into the Pacific.”

He also proposed establishing a permanent joint response organization across metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide. Governor Yang said, “I propose creating a ‘permanent joint response organization’ involving governors from cities and provinces nationwide as soon as possible to respond together.”

Previously, the council of 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide had requested the government last year to ▲ halt discussions on the Japanese government’s ocean discharge of Fukushima radioactive contaminated water and transparently disclose related information ▲ establish and operate a safety verification system involving experts from related countries including international organizations ▲ strengthen radiation quarantine on imports of Japanese food products including seafood, and resolved to respond strongly.