Meeting Attendee Jeong Jin-seok Regrets Japanese Media Reports
"Yoon Emphasizes Need for 'Scientific and Objective Verification'"
Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party, stated that the Japanese media report claiming President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would "seek the understanding of the Korean people" regarding the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant during his visit to Japan is unfounded.
Earlier, Japan's Kyodo News reported on the 17th that President Yoon and former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga discussed the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean during their meeting.
However, Jeong, who was present at the meeting, expressed regret over the Japanese media report, saying, "President Yoon never made such a statement."
On the 30th, Jeong posted on Facebook that "rather, President Yoon said that since the Fukushima contaminated water issue naturally causes anxiety among our people, it is important to take the time to accurately identify and inform the truth through scientific and objective investigation under the auspices of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)."
According to Jeong, Nuka-ga, then chairman of the Japan-Korea (Diet) Parliamentary League, mentioned issues related to his electoral district, but President Yoon firmly emphasized that the Fukushima contaminated water issue requires a scientific and objective verification process. Nuka-ga’s electoral district is Ibaraki Prefecture, which is close to Fukushima.
Jeong said, "As soon as Nuka-ga’s lengthy remarks ended, President Yoon firmly stated, 'The Fukushima contaminated water issue concerns the health and safety of our people, so a scientific and objective verification process is absolutely necessary.' He also said, 'Inviting objective Korean experts to participate in the verification process and observe it could be one way to proceed.'"
Jeong explained, "I recorded all the conversations between President Yoon and the Japanese attendees in my notebook. I have worked for 15 years as a reporter and editorial writer in the social and political departments of daily newspapers. I am experienced in taking notes. Nuka-ga’s remarks were so long that I felt it was rude and even irritating, but I wrote everything down."
Jeong added, "There was no mention anywhere in the conversation between President Yoon and Nuka-ga about 'convincing the Korean people.' While taking down President Yoon’s firm and clear answers, I silently shouted to myself, 'This is the right answer.'"
Meanwhile, the Presidential Office also issued a statement through the spokesperson’s office on the same day, saying, "The government’s position that the health and safety of the people is the top priority regarding the import of Japanese seafood remains unchanged," and "Seafood from Fukushima will never enter the country."
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