Democratic and Justice Parties Cooperate to Block Japan's 'Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge'

Lee Jae-myung Visits Gangwon for 2 Days to Hear On-site Voices
Justice Party Visits Japan to Protest Unauthorized Discharge of Contaminated Water

The Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party launched an all-out offensive on the 22nd over Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The Democratic Party visited Gangwon Province to listen to concerns about the domestic fisheries and tourism industries due to the Fukushima discharge, while on the same day, the Justice Party departed for Japan to protest the nuclear contaminated water discharge.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party, reiterated the call for the National Assembly to form a special committee to verify the Fukushima contaminated water and to hold a hearing during the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that morning. Park said, "The agreement between the ruling and opposition parties to form a special committee to verify Fukushima contaminated water and to hold a hearing was made on the 8th," adding, "However, two weeks have passed since the agreement, but it has not been implemented."

He emphasized, "We once again urge the ruling party to implement the agreement as demanded by the people."

He said, "There is not much time left," adding, "A timetable has emerged indicating that Tokyo Electric Power Company will discharge Fukushima nuclear contaminated water into the sea in July. If the National Assembly does not clearly and firmly show its determination to protect the lives and safety of our people regarding this issue, it will be failing its duties."

The Democratic Party is expected to oppose the Fukushima discharge throughout July and launch a large-scale outdoor struggle. Previously, they conducted a signature campaign against the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima, and on the 21st, held a report meeting to commemorate reaching one million signatures.

On the same day, Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, visited Gangneung for a one-night, two-day trip to hold meetings with fisheries and tourism industry stakeholders and conduct on-site inspections. This visit is the first Gangwon Province schedule since the launch of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. It is expected that he will listen to concerns about the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge and then intensify the outdoor protest activities.

In the afternoon, Lee visited Jumunjin Market to hear on-site voices regarding damage to domestic seafood, and later attended a 'Meeting for Measures to Address the Fukushima Nuclear Contaminated Water Discharge Issue' with fisheries and tourism industry stakeholders to listen to difficulties and discuss countermeasures. On the following day, the 23rd, a field supreme council meeting is also scheduled to be held in Gangneung.

On the same day, the Justice Party departed for Japan. The party's floor leader Bae Jin-gyo, chief deputy floor leader Lee Eun-joo, and Kang Eun-mi, head of the party's Fukushima Contaminated Water Prevention Task Force, along with other floor leaders, plan to visit Japan for a two-night, three-day schedule to protest the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jeong-mi, party leader, said in her opening remarks at the executive committee meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, "During the two-night, three-day schedule, we will join forces with the Japanese Social Democratic Party, which invited the Justice Party, as well as opposition parties, civil society, and fishermen to clearly convey the local voices opposing the contaminated water discharge to the Japanese government."

She said, "It is the Korean government, not the opposition Justice Party, that should have taken a firm stance. It is infuriating." She added, "Japan, which is entering the final countdown to the discharge, is calmly stating that there will be no additional WTO complaints related to Fukushima seafood imports," and said, "We will seek other alternatives such as domestic treatment methods instead of marine discharge."

Bae Jin-gyo, floor leader, said to reporters at Gimpo Airport before departure, "Despite the public's peak anxiety over the Fukushima contaminated water discharge, the government's attitude makes us suspect that it has negotiated with the Japanese government regarding the Fukushima discharge," adding, "If the government does not take action, we have judged that the people’s power must stop the contaminated water discharge."

Lee Eun-joo, chief deputy floor leader, said, "Thanks to cooperation with the Japanese Social Democratic Party, we were able to inspect the site up to the nuclear power plant site," adding, "We will properly report and inform in detail."

The Justice Party plans to meet with 'Nuclear Zero Renewable Energy 100 Parliamentary Group,' Japan's largest group opposing contaminated water discharge, to discuss forming an international network to prevent the discharge. They also plan to jointly visit Tokyo Electric Power Company with Japanese Social Democratic Party lawmakers and hold a press conference. In addition, they will carry out schedules including a protest visit to Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, inspection of contaminated water storage sites within the plant, a meeting with radiation research experts, and participation in protests against the contaminated water discharge.