Past 'THAAD Electromagnetic Waves' Mentioned Amid Rumor Offensive
Opposition Counters 'Seafood Restaurant Challenge' Against Contaminated Water Public Opinion Battle
The People Power Party has labeled the opposition's criticism of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base and the discharge of contaminated water as rumors and has launched a counterattack through so-called "mukbang" (eating broadcasts). This move appears intended to dispel safety concerns in line with the recent environmental impact assessment announcement that the electromagnetic waves from the THAAD base are harmless to humans and the surrounding environment, while also emphasizing that the recent criticism of the Fukushima contaminated water discharge is likewise a rumor, referencing past opposition attacks on THAAD.
On the afternoon of the 26th, the People Power Party leadership will visit Seongju, Gyeongbuk, where the THAAD base is located. After receiving a briefing on the approval of the THAAD environmental impact assessment at the Seongju County Office, the leadership plans to visit a chamoe (Korean melon) farm to hold a meeting with farmers and personally taste the chamoe.
Representative Kim emphasized that the opposition should take responsibility for safety concerns regarding THAAD electromagnetic waves. On the 25th, he stated, "I will hold them accountable so that absurd rumors such as people being fried by THAAD electromagnetic waves no longer spread across this land."
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@
He also referred to the mad cow disease incident in 2008. In remarks at a high-level party-government meeting on the 18th, Representative Kim said, "During the mad cow disease rumor incident, people shouted things like 'holes drilled in the brain' and 'I'd rather drink cyanide than eat American beef,' but I have never heard of anyone actually drinking cyanide or having holes drilled in their brain. Reviving those memories, it seems the opposition is now obsessed with propaganda and agitation aimed at saving the Democratic Party, regardless of public anxiety or the livelihood economy."
The ruling party also countered the opposition's public opinion campaign on contaminated water discharge with the so-called "Going to a Sushi Restaurant Challenge." On the 23rd, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited Noryangjin Fish Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, with Representative Seong and members of the People Power Party's "Protect Our Sea Verification Task Force," meeting merchants and dining on sashimi and soup. On the same day, Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, visited a sushi restaurant in Garak Market, Songpa-gu, Seoul, with Deputy Floor Leader Lee Yang-su and other floor leaders, emphasizing the safety of seafood while eating sashimi and other seafood.
Park Soo-young, director of the Yeouido Research Institute, also posted a photo on Facebook on the 25th dining at a sushi restaurant, saying, "Our seafood is safe, so please enjoy it freely. Trust the science of experts, not the Democratic Party's rumors."
The People Power Party's actions appear intended to dispel safety concerns by showing themselves directly consuming agricultural and marine products.
Seong Il-jong, chairman of the People Power Party's "Protect Our Sea Verification Task Force," explained in an interview with MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 26th, "The economy is psychology. Due to the Fukushima rumors, fishermen and small sushi restaurant owners are now facing ruin. We thought we should go and reassure and help them because they are suffering even though the discharge has not yet occurred."
Hong Seok-joon, a member of the same task force and People Power Party lawmaker, explained that the "Going to a Sushi Restaurant Challenge" aims to reassure the public both scientifically and emotionally.
In an interview with SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" on the same day, Representative Hong said, "In the scientific domain, we must continue to meticulously check whether Japan is discharging according to the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and whether the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) is functioning properly."
He added, "However, it is true that there is a lingering unease among the public emotionally, so we will lead by example to convey the feeling that 'our seafood is safe, and you can eat it without any health concerns.'"
Regarding criticism of whether it is appropriate for the ruling party to respond to opposition criticism with performances, he replied, "A performance can be a performance," but added, "Encouraging the consumption of seafood is an appeal to the emotional aspect to reassure the public." Representative Hong also said, "Please understand that the visit to the Seongju THAAD base is also intended as a show to the public on an emotional level."
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