Kim Cheong-ryong, head of Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative, strongly urged the withdrawal of Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant. (Photo by Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative)
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Ki-dong] Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative held a protest rally on the morning of the 30th simultaneously on land and at sea within the Fisheries Comprehensive Support Complex (Mokpo North Port Pier 5) to condemn the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.
The protest rally was organized by Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative, with participation from Kim Cheong-ryong, head of Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative; Kim Jong-sik, mayor of Mokpo; Kim Won-i, member of the National Assembly; Kang Shin-sook, executive director of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives; and heads of cooperatives in Jeonnam province, along with fisheries industry representatives.
Kim Cheong-ryong, head of Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative, stated, “Japan’s decision to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant poses not only serious economic damage to the fisheries industry, such as a sharp decline in seafood consumption and export suspension, but also threatens the lives and safety of our people.” He strongly urged the government to “establish effective measures such as operating a radiation safety management network that reassures the public and strictly enforcing origin control on imported seafood.”
Additionally, Lee Seong-bae, head of Jangheung County Fisheries Cooperative, and Kim Seong-ju, head of Haenam County Fisheries Cooperative, read a statement condemning the discharge, saying, “The ocean discharge of contaminated water from the nuclear power plant is a serious criminal act that threatens the existence of Korea’s fisheries industry,” and “Fishermen nationwide will continue to fight to the end.”
Fishermen hung banners condemning Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water and held a maritime protest. (Photo by Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative)
Representing fishermen, Kang Ho-seong, head of Mokpo Fishing Village Association, led the call with fishermen demanding, “Japan must immediately withdraw its decision to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant,” urging the Japanese government to revoke the decision.
After reading the statement and chanting slogans on land, the fishermen conducted a maritime protest using about 100 coastal fishing vessels around the North Port area. The fishermen displayed flags and banners condemning Japan’s decision to discharge contaminated water on their boats and carried out a maritime protest by departing from the North Port inner harbor and circling near Jangjado Island.
Meanwhile, the protest rally condemning the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant was held simultaneously across nine regions nationwide, including Jeonnam, Busan, Gangwon, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongin, Jeonbuk, Chungcheong, and Jeju.
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