Japan's Contaminated Water Discharge Approaching... Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Mukbang vs. Fasting in 'Political Quagmire'

Release Expected to Begin After July 4

As the timing of the discharge of contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant becomes more concrete, public anxiety is escalating, while the ruling and opposition parties continue their extreme confrontation.

The Japanese government's preparations for the Fukushima contaminated water discharge are nearing completion. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 28th, the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan will inspect the marine discharge facilities for Fukushima contaminated water over three days from the 28th to the 30th. This is the remaining internal procedure in Japan, and if no issues are raised during the inspection, a certificate will be issued to Tokyo Electric Power Company, allowing the marine discharge of the contaminated water.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The exact timing of the Fukushima contaminated water discharge has not been clearly set, but it is expected to begin after July 4. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is likely to proceed with the discharge if no significant problems arise in the final report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which supports the Nuclear Regulation Authority's inspection and the justification for marine discharge.

As the discharge of contaminated water becomes imminent, opposition figures have begun an indefinite hunger strike to block the discharge. Starting with Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Jae-gap on the 20th, fellow party member Woo Won-shik also began an indefinite hunger strike on the 26th. Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, has been conducting a hunger strike for four days to stop the contaminated water dumping.

The government and ruling party are responding to the opposition's Fukushima contaminated water offensive with the "Going to a Sushi Restaurant Challenge." This aims to emphasize the safety of seafood and highlight that the fishing industry and seafood businesses are suffering due to the opposition's "contaminated water rumors."

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader, visited Garak Fish Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 23rd and ate seafood. Photo by People Power Party, Yonhap News Agency

On the 23rd, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the Noryangjin Fish Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, with members of the People Power Party's "Protect Our Sea Verification Task Force," met with merchants, and enjoyed a seafood dinner. On the same day, Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, visited the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and had dinner at a sushi restaurant.

Floor leader Yoon said, "Merchants are currently voicing their complaints, and even grandmothers who have been in business for decades say this is the worst downturn they have ever experienced. The People Power Party will quickly devise measures based on science and truth to reverse this atmosphere so that market merchants and seafood handlers can recover their businesses and bring smiles back to their faces."

However, there are criticisms that only political strife is taking place without any concrete measures as the contaminated water discharge approaches. The Korea Coastal Fishermen's Association held a press conference in front of the National Assembly on the 28th, stating, "Politicians are using the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge as a tool for political strife," and raised their voices, saying, "Politicians, media, and fake experts should not incite the public with distorted information while ignoring the fishermen, who are the biggest victims."