75 Environmental Groups in Gyeongnam Demand Measures Against Nakdong River Algae Bloom

Civil environmental organizations in the Gyeongnam region urged measures to address the toxic algae in the Nakdong River on the occasion of World Water Day on the 22nd.

On the 21st, 75 organizations including the Nakdong River Network and the Gyeongnam School Meal Solidarity held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

Nakdonggang Network, School Meal Gyeongnam Solidarity, and other environmental organizations in the Gyeongnam region are holding a press conference.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

They stated, "According to a joint investigation by environmental groups and academic societies, microcystin, a toxic algae toxin that is 6,600 times more toxic than cyanide, was detected in rice grown with Nakdong River algae-contaminated water in 2022," and claimed, "The algae from the Nakdong River was pumped up from the water intake station and flowed along agricultural water channels into rice paddies and fields, causing toxicity to accumulate in rice and vegetables."

They continued, "South Korea has no agricultural product management standards for algae toxins such as microcystin and anatoxin," and criticized, "During last year's National Assembly audit, the Minister of Environment and the Prime Minister promised to prepare countermeasures for microcystin through a joint private investigation, but they have not kept their promise."

A Gyeongnam environmental group is performing a demonstration where the President and the Minister of Environment eat vegetables found to contain microcystin.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

The organizations performed a demonstration where vegetables labeled with detected microcystin levels were eaten by the President and the Minister of Environment, stating, "We cannot feed our children rice and vegetables grown with algae-contaminated water."

They also said, "Algae toxins are the final warning sent by the Nakdong River, which is dying as it stagnates and decays," and emphasized, "The Nakdong River must be allowed to flow."

They demanded ▲ a joint public-private investigation of agricultural products supplied to schools ▲ thorough management of agricultural products including school meal ingredient distribution bidding ▲ full purchase of rice detected with microcystin by agricultural authorities ▲ supply of algae-free agricultural water ▲ early improvement of water intake and pumping facilities and opening of the Nakdong River weir gates.