Governor Won Hee-ryong Signals Strong Response to Japan's Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Decision

Press Conference Strongly Condemning Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Decision at National Assembly Communication Office on the 13th
"Time to Act Now"... Response Committee Formed with 5 Local Governments Including Busan, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, on the 13th strongly condemned the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, calling it "an atrocity against neighboring countries sharing the sea and their people," and hinted at a strong response.

Governor Won held a press conference at 2 p.m. at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "If the Japanese government unilaterally decides to discharge despite our urgent and legitimate requests, we will have no choice but to take legal action as a last resort," warning firmly.

He said, "The Japanese government has an obligation to share accurate information about the contaminated water not only with its own citizens but also with neighboring countries such as Korea and China and their people," and added, "The final decision on the method of treating the contaminated water should have been made through active consultation with neighboring countries."

He continued, "The Japanese government decided to proceed with the discharge by skipping all necessary procedures without making any effort. Now is not the time to talk but to act," and expressed, "We will summon the Japanese Consul General stationed in Jeju and deliver a strong protest through a meeting with the Japanese ambassador."

Additionally, he stated, "Five local governments including Jeju, Busan, Gyeongnam, Ulsan, and Jeonnam have formed a contaminated water countermeasure committee to start a strong and effective response," and added, "Starting tomorrow, we will discuss with experts to prepare response measures under international and domestic law."

Governor Won said, "Our government should not just express 'regret' anymore," and explained, "Five UN Special Rapporteurs also delivered a statement to the Japanese government on the 11th of last month, saying that the plan to discharge contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean poses 'serious risks to the environment and human rights.'"

Furthermore, he noted, "The Secretary-General of Greenpeace also pointed out that Japan's discharge decision violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," urging the government to take all possible measures.

Meanwhile, Governor Won held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on October 20 last year, strongly criticizing the Japanese government's unilateral decision to discharge contaminated water, saying, "Protecting the sea in front of Jeju is protecting the lives, safety, and ecosystem of the people of all countries connected to this sea," and demanded transparent disclosure and sharing of related information.

Along with this, he proposed joint responses with the governors of coastal cities and provinces around the Korea-Japan Strait (Busan, Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, Jeju, and Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, totaling eight cities) and the Trans-Pacific Peace Park City Council (Jeju, San Diego in the USA, Vladivostok in Russia, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, Tijuana in Mexico, totaling seven cities).