Park Jun-young, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Nominee, "Top Priority is Withdrawal of Japan's Contaminated Water Ocean Discharge"

"Cooperating with Relevant Ministries to Explore International Organization Collaboration Plans"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Park Junyoung, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated on the 19th regarding the government's response to Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, "The top priority is to have the marine discharge plan withdrawn."

At a press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Park emphasized, "We will prioritize the lives and safety of the people and respond strongly, taking all possible measures in the marine sector."

He said, "We are working with related ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to explore cooperation plans with international organizations," adding, "At the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries level, the London Convention·Protocol parties' meeting is scheduled for October. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community."

In response to Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has expanded the marine radiation monitoring network and radiation inspections for seafood safety. Joint safety management is being conducted with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and efforts are underway to establish a distribution tracking system and strengthen origin control.

Regarding the recent report by the government task force (TF) concluding that Japan's discharge of contaminated water is not harmful, Park stated "this is unacceptable." He explained, "We are currently enhancing models to investigate how the contaminated water will spread and what impact it will have when discharged into the ocean," adding, "Since specific conditions such as discharge concentration, volume, and timing must be determined to produce results, it is not possible to say whether the contaminated water is harmful to humans at this time." He further emphasized, "We must prepare response measures from the perspective of raising awareness about the risks of radioactive contamination itself."

He also mentioned that he intends to ensure that policies promoted during the Moon Jaein administration, such as the five-year plan for maritime reconstruction and the fisheries public payment system, achieve results.

He said, "Compared to global shipping companies and countries, the scale and competitiveness are still unsatisfactory, so we will consider new growth strategies for the shipping industry," adding, "Despite the implementation of the Fishing Village New Deal 300 and the fisheries public payment system, we plan to focus fisheries policy on the regeneration of fishing villages, which are in the extinction phase."