Democratic Party Visits Japanese Embassy "Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater Discharge Must Stop"

Tokyo Electric Power Meeting Fails
Opposition: "Can We Just Stand By?"

The Democratic Party of Korea visited the Japanese Embassy on the 5th to express concerns about the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and demanded verification of the contaminated water treatment process.

On that day, the Democratic Party's Task Force to Prevent the Discharge of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water met with Daisuke Namioka, Acting Ambassador and Economic Counselor of Japan in Seoul, at the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to convey these demands.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The task force requested cooperation to allow South Korea and neighboring countries to directly participate in verifying the safety of the marine discharge and asked for the suspension of contaminated water discharge until explicit consent is obtained from neighboring countries. They also delivered a protest letter demanding confirmation that the safety of the people of both Korea and Japan is the highest priority during the contaminated water treatment process and that requests to resume imports of seafood from near Fukushima should not be made until safety is secured.

Task force members, including lawmakers Wi Seong-gon, Yang Yi-won-young, Yoon Young-duk, Yoon Jae-gap, and Lee Yong-bin, plan to visit the contaminated site near the Fukushima nuclear power plant from the 6th to the 8th, hold meetings with nuclear power plant workers and nearby residents, and conduct a meeting with Japanese correspondents from domestic media outlets.

At a National Assembly press conference, Lawmaker Wi said, "To check public opinion in Japan regarding the discharge of contaminated water at the Fukushima site, we plan to request data submission from experts interested in nuclear power among our citizens for objective and scientific verification," adding, "We also plan to visit Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)." However, it is reported that the meeting with TEPCO did not materialize. Wi stated, "So far, the meeting has been effectively refused," but added, "They said they would accept the request if it is delivered. We have also asked the Japanese Embassy to facilitate a meeting with TEPCO."

Regarding criticisms about the effectiveness of this visit, Lawmaker Wi said, "It is not always effective for the opposition party to meet only with influential politicians. It is important for the opposition to directly show concerns about the discharge of contaminated water." He continued, "The Japanese Embassy and domestic embassies are not cooperating either," emphasizing, "Should opposition lawmakers just stay still because (Japanese officials) refuse to meet? That cannot be the case."

Lawmaker Yoon Jae-gap also questioned, "Can we just stand by?" He said, "I have seen some media articles with negative opinions about this visit. However, in a situation where the government is not properly addressing the public's concerns, opposition lawmakers are doing their best to obtain data, listen to Japanese public opinion, and visit related sites in Japan by any means necessary."

Yoon added, "After returning from Japan, I will once again play a role within the National Assembly to ensure the government’s response is adequate."