Lee Jae-myung "Fukushima Contaminated Water Hearing Will Definitely Be Pursued"

Forming a 'Comprehensive Control Tower' for Response
Considering Protest Visits and Outdoor Struggles as Well

The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to push for a parliamentary hearing regarding the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. Criticizing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s final report, which claims that Japan's contaminated water discharge plan is safe, as a "hollow report," the party plans to escalate its struggle to resolutely block the discharge of contaminated water.

On the 5th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "The Democratic Party will explore all possible measures to prevent the ocean dumping of contaminated water," adding, "We will gather consensus through a party meeting, establish a comprehensive control tower to block the dumping of contaminated water, and definitely hold a parliamentary hearing on the contaminated water." He continued, "Once the contaminated water flows into the sea, it is irreversible," and said, "We will approach this with the determination that we cannot return a polluted sea to the future generations who will live tomorrow."

He criticized, "The ruling party is busy continuing sashimi restaurant performances, dismissing public concerns as rumors, neglecting efforts to protect the lives and safety of the people," and raised his voice, asking, "Will President Yoon Seok-yeol entrust our territorial waters and our lives entirely to results that have not even been verified?"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party, questioned the reliability of the IAEA report, saying, "The IAEA's final report is not a verification report but is at the same level as a commissioned report by Japan and Tokyo Electric Power Company." He urged, "The People Power Party and the government should officially express their opposition to the Japanese government (regarding the discharge)," and added, "Use the anxiety of 85% of the public who oppose it and the opposition of the main opposition party as leverage in negotiations." Floor leader Park also emphasized the necessity of pushing for a hearing.

Meanwhile, about ten lawmakers from the Democratic Party's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee and the Countermeasures Committee to Prevent Ocean Dumping of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water plan to visit Japan on the 10th to meet with Japanese politicians and citizens opposing the discharge of contaminated water. The Democratic Party is also considering off-site protests and other measures to block the discharge of contaminated water.