Response to Japan's Contaminated Water Discharge Decision... Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries "Special Origin Inspection of Seafood"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will strengthen the crackdown on the origin of seafood in response to Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, and will hold an emergency video public-private council on the 16th.

Last month, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries formed the "Public-Private Council for Establishing Order in Seafood Distribution" together with distribution companies and consumer groups. This meeting is the second gathering of the public-private council.

At this meeting, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will discuss plans to conduct a special crackdown on the origin of seafood within this month. They will also discuss ways to strengthen the participation and role of the private sector, including consumer groups, during the crackdown process.

Kim Junseok, Director of Fisheries Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water into the ocean is a hasty measure taken without sufficient consultation with our country, the closest neighboring country, and is absolutely unacceptable." He added, "Please focus all efforts to ensure that no harm comes to the health of our people by maintaining a cooperative system among origin inspection agencies and further strengthening private monitoring functions centered on consumer groups."

The meeting will be held online via video conference at the Government Complex Sejong. About 20 people, including consumer groups, distribution industry representatives, experts, and government policy officials, are expected to attend.