Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that the ban on seafood from Fukushima related to the discharge of radioactive contaminated water from the Japanese nuclear power plant will be continuously maintained.
On the 13th, during a government question session at the National Assembly, Prime Minister Han responded to a question from Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, asking if there would be any changes to the ban on imports of seafood from Fukushima.
Prime Minister Han said, "As fish with contamination levels exceeding radiation inspection standards are still being caught, the ban on Japanese seafood will be maintained until the public can feel safe and confident."
Previously, the Korean government banned imports of seafood from Fukushima following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant explosion accident in 2011.
Regarding the impact on public safety if contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant is discharged, Prime Minister Han explained, "(The impact of the contaminated water) will begin 4 to 5 years later, but it is understood that the overall risk due to seawater and currents flowing into Korea at that time is concluded to be none."
He added, "However, the government of the Republic of Korea will continue to select about 92 points to conduct safety inspections of the ocean," and "measures will be taken to ensure thorough safety for seafood caught in our waters."
Regarding the Fukushima contaminated treated water, Prime Minister Han said, "Since this will be carried out over 30 years, the government plans to continue consultations with international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and related governments," and emphasized, "It is important to make efforts to ensure that all procedures are conducted thoroughly and scientifically."
He also requested cooperation from the political sphere concerning the spread of rumors about Fukushima contaminated treated water, stating, "Public safety is fundamentally based on science, and anything not based on science causes distress and shock to those involved."
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