Fukushima Controversy: Ruling Party Calls It "Radiation Rumors" vs Opposition Demands "State Investigation"

On the 2nd, Ruling and Opposition Party Spokespersons Exchange Comments on Fukushima

The Democratic Party of Korea responded to the People Power Party's claim that the opposition is "spreading radioactive rumors" by saying, "If the government and ruling party are confident, they should not talk about 'rumors' and instead participate in the state audit investigation."

Park Seong-jun, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a commentary on the 2nd, "The Democratic Party will uncover the truth behind the recent Korea-Japan summit, which is nothing short of a diplomatic disaster, through a state audit investigation."

Yoon Jae-gap, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is shaving his head at a rally opposing the import of Fukushima seafood and condemning humiliating diplomacy toward Japan, held on the steps in front of the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th of last month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Spokesperson Park pointed out, "There is significant public concern and interest regarding the import of Fukushima agricultural products and Japan's discharge of contaminated water. Nevertheless, the People Power Party is trying to intimidate the opposition and the public by calling it a rumor."

He continued, "How can a member of the National Assembly visiting the site and trying to understand an issue that the public cannot help but worry about be called a 'rumor'?"

Park also noted, "The People Power Party is the ruling party that shares responsibility for state affairs. It is the ruling party's role to gather public opinion and reflect it in governance," adding, "Threatening the public by calling their concerns 'rumors' is not the role of the ruling party."

He further emphasized, "The public wants to clearly know what was discussed between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio," and reiterated, "The Democratic Party will uncover the truth behind the recent Korea-Japan summit, which is nothing short of a diplomatic disaster, through a state audit investigation."

Earlier, Kang Min-guk, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a commentary on the same day, "The Democratic Party's purpose in spreading 'radioactive rumors' is clearly to divide public opinion," adding, "Even though the Presidential Office repeatedly states that 'Fukushima seafood will never enter the country,' the Democratic Party continues to spread 'radioactive rumors' for this reason."

Regarding reports that some Democratic Party lawmakers are planning to visit Fukushima from the 6th to the 8th in relation to Japan's discharge of contaminated water, Chief Spokesperson Kang criticized, "As public interest drifts away from the Democratic Party's forced mobilization solution 'Jukchangga,' they are now trying their specialty of 'spreading rumors.' 'Instilling fear ? holding opposition rallies ? lawmakers' overseas visits' is the so-called 'rumor spreading' formula that the Democratic Party repeatedly follows."