Kim Dong-yeon Urges "Firm Government Action and Transparent Information Disclosure" on Fukushima Contaminated Water

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is presiding over the open government meeting on the 31st.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon urged the government to take firm measures and ensure transparent information disclosure regarding Japan's "Fukushima contaminated water discharge" on the occasion of "Sea Day" on the 31st.

At the open provincial government meeting held in the multipurpose conference room of the provincial office that day, Governor Kim said, "Today is Sea Day, and there is an announcement of the inspection results from the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water inspection team," adding, "The inspection team stated before departure that they trust the inspections by the Japanese government and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), but since it has greatly increased public anxiety, I am uncertain about how credible the announcement results will be."

He continued, "According to a recent public perception survey on the marine discharge of Fukushima contaminated water released by the Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, 85% of respondents opposed the discharge. This issue concerns the right to livelihood of fishermen, small business owners, and other related industry workers," emphasizing, "I believe there must be transparent information disclosure, objective and scientific verification by the inspection team, and firm government measures in response."

Governor Kim also shared his reflections ahead of the one-year anniversary (June 1) of his election in the local elections.

He said, "Yesterday, I visited the office and traditional market areas from a year ago and expressed my gratitude to the security guards and parking attendants I met in the buildings at that time," adding, "I renewed my determination to return to my original intention, to help the residents without wavering, and to resolve issues that make residents' lives difficult such as housing, jobs, and transportation. I am committed to making Gyeonggi Province a capital of opportunity that provides more, more equitable, and better opportunities to repay the support of the residents."

He went on, "To fulfill promises to residents, we have addressed not only investment attraction but also welfare issues for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly, climate change issues for a better future, revitalization of the social economy, and animal welfare," adding, "If we have laid the groundwork so far, such as expanding the Namyangju local road and passing the Peace Economy Special Zone Act in the National Assembly plenary session for the first time in 17 years, from now on, we will begin the full-scale work of constructing the building."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province discussed the "Measures to Establish Public Service Discipline" at the meeting that day. Earlier on the 24th, Gyeonggi Province announced the "Measures to Establish Public Service Discipline," which include a zero-tolerance principle (one-strike-out) for detected illegal acts and strong penalties such as promotion and allowance restrictions for those disciplined.

In particular, the province plans to amend the regulations on the code of conduct for public officials to require public officials with job-related virtual asset holdings to report them and to implement preemptive measures to exclude them from their duties.

The National Assembly recently passed an amendment to the Public Officials Ethics Act to include virtual assets in the property declaration and disclosure requirements for high-ranking public officials of grade 4 or higher. However, the law will take effect in early December, six months later. The province plans to amend the code of conduct as early as August, ahead of this.

Governor Kim said, "It is very regrettable that the entire public service community is being criticized because of a very small number of cases, but we must firmly resolve this and strive to change the mindset and culture itself," promising, "Prevention is a priority, and even if incidents occur, we will take strong measures according to the zero-tolerance principle."