Prime Minister Han: "Additional Collection of Subscription Fees as Public Utility Charges is a Workaround, Separate Collection is Appropriate"

Press Conference with Seoul Government Complex Reporters on the 11th
Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge "No Scientific Evidence Means Propaganda"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is attending a press briefing with reporters at the Government Seoul Office Annex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 11th, answering questions from the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo repeatedly emphasized the legitimacy of the KBS license fee separate collection plan, which was approved at the Cabinet meeting. Regarding Japan's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, he warned that unscientific agitation is causing suffering to the public.

At a press conference held at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Han said, "I have always thought that collecting the license fee by adding it to public utility charges without separate collection is clearly a loophole and not the right method," adding, "I believe it is correct to collect the license fee separately."

The government held a Cabinet meeting that day and passed the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Broadcasting Act to collect the KBS license fee separately. After President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval, it is expected to be promulgated as early as the 12th. The Korea Communications Commission plans to implement the law immediately from the day the enforcement decree is promulgated. KBS has stated that it will file a constitutional complaint immediately after the amendment is promulgated.

In response, Prime Minister Han said, "Expressing opinions and seeking procedures within the scope of our country's judicial system is something KBS, as a legal entity and citizen, can certainly do," but added, "The overwhelming majority of the public believes that collecting the license fee by including it in public utility charges is not right, so it is appropriate for the government to adopt separate collection."

When asked how to persuade the public, who have strong objections to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, he said, "We will base it on science." Prime Minister Han criticized, "Claims without scientific basis are nothing but agitation," and added, "I think this agitation is causing great suffering to those engaged in the fishing industry." He further pointed out, "If there are scientific issues, they should be debated scientifically. Causing hardship to fishermen outside of that is truly not in the interest of our people."

Regarding the criticism that the discharge of contaminated water benefits only Japan, he rebutted, "Japan requested the IAEA to review the safety, and the previous government also established the principle that if it is scientifically conducted, there is no reason to oppose the discharge," adding, "(The IAEA report) clearly declares that the principle of legitimacy is a very basic principle for safety."