"Opposition to Contaminated Water"… Unfurling 'Radiation Rising Sun Flag' and 'Hakikjin' Protest

Jeju Fishermen Protest Against Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Discharge
12 Fishing Boats Mobilized... 'Hakikjin' Formation
'Radioactive Rising Sun Flag' Displayed at Sea

On the 6th, a Rising Sun flag with a radiation warning symbol was displayed over the sea near Jeju, drawing attention. This protest was held by Jeju haenyeo (female divers) and fishermen to express opposition as the Japanese government enters the final countdown to discharging contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The "I am Yi Sun-sin Jeju Headquarters," composed of the Hamdeok Fishing Village Association and Shipowners' Association in Jocheon-eup, Jeju City, the Haenyeo Association, and the Jeju Provincial Federation of Youth, held a maritime protest called "1597 Myeongnyang Battle 2023 Jeju Battle" using 12 vessels off the coast of Hamdeok.

Before the maritime protest, the group held a press conference stating, "If radioactive contaminated water is actually discharged, all life, including humans who have lived relying on the sea in Jeju, which is surrounded by the sea on all sides, will be at risk," and strongly criticized, "The discharge of contaminated water is a matter of life and death for Jeju haenyeo, and it is a terror that could force all residents, including those in fisheries and tourism industries, to leave Jeju."

'Radioactive Rising Sun Flag' Fallen into Jeju Sea
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

They continued, "The Japanese government must immediately stop the discharge of contaminated water and seek safe storage solutions," and urged, "The South Korean government must strongly demand that the Japanese government withdraw the discharge plan."

Protest participants advanced toward the waters off Hamdeok with banners on their fishing boats bearing slogans such as "If the sea dies, Jeju dies," "The entire nation opposes," and "Protect Jeju Sea."

They also arranged the 12 vessels in a formation resembling the "Hagikjin" (crane wing formation). Haenyeo entered the sea holding placards with messages opposing the discharge of contaminated water.

Members of the "I am Yi Sun-sin Jeju Headquarters," composed of fishermen from Hamdeok, Jocheon-eup, Jeju City, are protesting against the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan in the waters off Jeongju Port, Hamdeok-ri, on the morning of the 6th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this protest, they explained, "This is a historical story layered on the waters off Hamdeok, Jocheon-eup, the sacred site of Jeju's anti-Japanese movement, where Yi Sun-sin's 12 ships sank about 400 Japanese navy ships," and said that relay protests extending to other regions are planned.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government is reportedly considering August as the time to discharge the contaminated water into the ocean. The Japanese media outlet Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on the 5th (local time) that the Japanese government plans to begin full-scale discharge after explaining the safety of the plan to fishermen in Japan as well as neighboring countries such as South Korea.

Japan is currently storing contaminated water containing radioactive materials after treating it with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). Accordingly, the Japanese government refers to the contaminated water as "treated water."

The construction of an approximately 1 km long underwater tunnel for water discharge has already been completed, and the Japanese government plans to dilute the treated water with a large amount of seawater to 1/40th of the national safety standard and discharge it gradually.