Gyeongbuk East Coast Mutual Cooperation Council Jointly Responds to Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater Ocean Discharge

Pohang City Emphasizes Joint Response to Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge at Gyeongbuk East Coast Win-Win Council

Five East Coast Cities and Counties Including Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, Uljin, and Ulleung Seek Joint Growth and Development

The regular meeting of the Gyeongbuk East Coast Win-Win Council, composed of five cities and counties along the East Coast of Gyeongbuk?Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, Uljin, and Ulleung?was held face-to-face for the first time in four years at the Uljin Hupo Marina Port.

Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, Uljin, and Ulleung, five cities and counties on the East Coast, are holding a joint proposal from the Gyeongbuk East Coast Win-Win Council. (From left: Kim Nam-il, Vice Mayor of Pohang; Kim Gwang-yeol, Mayor of Yeongdeok; Son Byeong-bok, Mayor of Uljin; Joo Nak-young, Mayor of Gyeongju; Nam Han-gwon, Mayor of Ulleung)

Presided over by Son Byeong-bok, the governor of Uljin County, the meeting was attended by more than 60 participants including heads and deputy heads of the five cities and counties, as well as civilian committee members. At the meeting, Pohang City proposed a "joint response to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean," emphasizing the need for proactive measures since all five cities and counties share the common denominator of being coastal areas.

Given the high proportion of fisheries in the five cities and counties, concerns were expressed that if contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is discharged, it could cause immeasurable damage to the local fisheries industry, such as a decline in consumer confidence and price drops in seafood, as well as significant ripple effects on the tourism and leisure sectors.

As a countermeasure, Pohang City suggested new joint projects for the five cities and counties, including a public direct payment system for fisheries damage areas and the establishment of a fund to support industries affected by radioactive contaminated water leakage.

Additionally, to prepare for the worst-case scenario of discharge and to establish safety measures for seafood and related food products in the future, discussions were held on building a work system with related organizations and introducing a radioactive inspection claim system.

At the meeting, Gyeongju City submitted the hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit, Yeongdeok County requested the restoration of central government budget (national funds) for operating child care facilities, Uljin County proposed the construction of the East Coast Expressway (Yeongdeok?Uljin?Samcheok), and Ulleung County raised the expansion of emergency evacuation facilities as joint response agenda items.

The council plans to conduct in-depth discussions on the issues and solutions related to the submitted agenda items to seek joint growth and development plans and to propose the joint response agenda to central government ministries.

Kim Nam-il, the deputy mayor, stated, “All five cities and counties face common challenges such as low birth rates, aging populations, and local extinction. Through ultra-regional cooperation among the five East Coast cities and counties, including joint responses to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, we must unite to lead the era of local governance.”