"Intentional Pressure to Delay Environmental Impact Assessment Results" Suspected
Yoon Jae-ok: "Democratic Party's Agitation for Political Gain"
Government and Ruling Party Continue Relay Meals at Raw Fish Restaurants
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th, "We must investigate and identify who the main culprit is that allowed and encouraged the spread of false rumors and fake news about THAAD throughout the five years of the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "Environmental impact assessments are neither difficult tasks nor do they require a long time, but there is a strong possibility that someone with considerable power pressured to delay or prevent the release of the environmental impact assessment results."
Earlier, the Ministry of Environment concluded on the 21st that there were no issues with the electromagnetic waves from the THAAD base of the US Forces Korea and gave final approval to the environmental impact assessment six years after the temporary deployment in 2017.
On the same day, Kim visited the Seongju County Office in Gyeongbuk to receive a report related to the THAAD base environmental impact assessment and held a meeting with residents who farm melons at the Seongju Agricultural Products Wholesale Market. While tasting the local specialty melon, he planned to listen to the grievances of melon farmers who had suffered difficulties due to the electromagnetic wave controversy surrounding THAAD.
Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
The People Power Party has repeatedly urged the Democratic Party to stop spreading 'false rumors.' The People Power Party claims that the Democratic Party has been spreading scientifically unfounded rumors related to the Fukushima nuclear wastewater following their previous agitation over mad cow disease and THAAD, and demands that they cease such incitement.
Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the meeting, "Although the THAAD agitation has been proven to be a rumor, no one has apologized," adding, "Seeing the shameless attitude of the (Democratic Party) lawmakers who led the agitation in the past, refusing to trust the results, it seems it was merely political agitation for gain and that the issue was never truly important."
He continued, "The Moon Jae-in government measured electromagnetic waves for five years starting in 2018 but did not disclose the results," and criticized, "The Democratic Party should not only apologize but also explain whether they deceived the public despite knowing the harmlessness of the THAAD base electromagnetic waves."
Yoon also announced plans to continue relay meals at sashimi restaurants to support fisheries workers and sashimi restaurant self-employed business owners. He said, "THAAD is a preview of the Fukushima contaminated water issue," and added, "The Democratic Party’s propaganda strategy is to foster distrust through fake news, maximize public anxiety through outdoor rallies, and then wait to be forgotten once the election is over. This time, please create a precedent where the power of science overcomes rumors."
Previously, Yoon visited Garak Fish Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, the day before and had a meal there. This was to actively inform the public that seafood is safe by eating it directly. Kim also visited Noryangjin Fish Market with party leadership for a dinner on the 15th, marking his 100th day in office. The People Power Party plans to visit fish markets and sashimi restaurants by standing committees as well. Members of the People Power Party with constituencies in Busan are currently continuing the ‘Sashimi Restaurant Challenge,’ where they post proof of dining at sashimi restaurants and nominate the next member.
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