Lee Jae-myung Meets with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming to Discuss Joint Response to Japan's Nuclear Contaminated Water

Sing Haiming "Oppose Discharge, Will Cooperate with Korea"
Conveyed Concerns on Taiwan Issue and Korea-China Relations

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, on the 8th and urged the establishment of joint countermeasures between Korea and China regarding Japan's attempt to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee met with Ambassador Xing at the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Korea and stated, "Recently, concerns among neighboring countries have been increasing due to Japan's issue of dumping nuclear contaminated water into the ocean. I hope we can raise our voices together on this issue as much as possible and also devise joint countermeasures."

Lee said, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Korea," adding, "Over these 30 years, I believe the development of China and Korea in Northeast Asia has been very rapid and on a large scale."

He continued, "Recently, the Korea-China relationship has been elevated to a strategic cooperative partnership, but it seems that recent international situations and economic conditions are significantly affecting Korea-China relations. From Korea's perspective, as China has shifted from being the largest surplus country to the largest deficit country, the economy is facing many difficulties."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also said, "I have listened to the opinions of domestic companies, export companies, companies operating locally, and local Korean residents, and they are expressing various difficulties. I ask Ambassador Xing Haiming and the Chinese government to take special interest in this matter."

In response, Ambassador Xing Haiming criticized, "It seems that the Japanese government is repeatedly trying to justify the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. They claim that the water quality is harmless to humans and that the discharge is legitimate, presenting ocean discharge as the only solution for treating contaminated water from the nuclear plant. This has been proven to be completely untrue."

He added, "Japan is turning the Pacific Ocean into its household sewer for economic gain. This is extremely irresponsible. Japan is expected to formally decide soon to discharge the contaminated water into the ocean, and we firmly oppose this. We will cooperate well with Korea on this matter and make efforts accordingly."

Regarding Korea-China relations, he said, "Regardless of past, present, or future, there are countless reasons why Korea-China relations must succeed, and there is not a single reason why they would fail. The Chinese government always places great importance on Korea and Korea-China relations. Therefore, it has been striving hard to develop Korea-China relations."

He continued, "However, currently, Korea-China relations are facing many difficulties. I am deeply concerned and saddened by this. Honestly, the responsibility does not lie with China."

He stated, "It would be appreciated if China respects Korea's core interests and Korea also respects China's core interests. The Taiwan issue is at the core of China's core interests and is also the foundation of Korea-China relations. When diplomatic relations were established, Korea solemnly promised China regarding this. It would be appreciated if Korea properly keeps this promise and firmly respects China's core concerns on issues such as Taiwan."