Democratic Party: "Yoon Does Not Oppose Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge"... People Power Party: "False Propaganda Is Tearful"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is arriving at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the morning of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A political dispute continues between the ruling and opposition parties over reports by some Japanese media that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration does not oppose the ocean discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The Democratic Party of Korea launched an offensive by repeatedly posting about this on social networking services (SNS), while the People Power Party strongly opposed it, calling it false propaganda.

On the 20th, Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, posted on his Facebook, "Yoon Suk-yeol does not oppose contaminated water discharge... Japanese media 'attention'." He added, "The health rights of Seoul citizens must be protected by voting. I believe in Song Young-gil."

Seoul city council members and Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, also posted the same message on Facebook that day, continuing a relay campaign.

This was a criticism citing a recent article by a Japanese media outlet reporting that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration did not oppose the Fukushima contaminated water discharge.

Earlier, Japan's Jiji Press published an article titled "No opposition from Korea to nuclear power plant treated water discharge according to international standards" on the 18th. The outlet reported that a Korean Foreign Ministry official said, "Regarding Tokyo Electric Power Company's ocean discharge of contaminated water, we will do our best to respond as necessary to ensure it is handled safely from an objective and scientific perspective and in accordance with international law and standards," indicating that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's response differs from that of the Moon Jae-in administration.

In response, the People Power Party refuted the Democratic Party's claims as false propaganda. Park Hyung-soo, the People Power Party floor spokesperson, issued a statement saying, "The Democratic Party's attempt to shake the unfavorable 6.1 local election landscape by dragging in Japanese media reports is pathetic and pitiful." He added, "We sternly warn the Democratic Party to stop spreading false information."

Park also claimed, "When the Japanese government announced on April 13 last year its plan to discharge radioactive contaminated water stored on the Fukushima nuclear power plant site into the ocean, our government expressed strong regret." He further explained, "President Yoon Suk-yeol also pledged during his candidacy that 'people should be able to consume seafood with confidence.'"

He emphasized, "After winning the election, the transition committee clearly stated the policy direction that the previous government's stance opposing unilateral contaminated water discharge, which the international community is concerned about, will be maintained."

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (second from the right), is inspecting the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, on the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied the Japanese media reports. According to Yonhap News on the 20th, the Ministry sent a text message to reporters stating, "Our government has never supported the ocean discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima, Japan," and expressed concern over some Japanese media's arbitrary and subjective reporting.

The Ministry explained, "We will continue to prioritize public health and safety and do our best to ensure that the contaminated water is disposed of safely from an objective and scientific perspective and in accordance with international law and standards." It also said, "As a key stakeholder, we plan to continue bilateral communication and consultation with Japan regarding this matter."

Meanwhile, according to NHK on the 18th, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved Tokyo Electric Power Company's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. Earlier, Tokyo Electric Power had prepared a detailed plan following the government policy established in April last year to treat contaminated water from Fukushima with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), dilute it with seawater to reduce tritium concentration, and discharge it into the Pacific Ocean. The Nuclear Regulation Authority approved Tokyo Electric Power's discharge plan, stating there were no safety issues.