Opposition Considers 'Japan Compensation Claim' Card Over Contaminated Water Discharge

President Yoon Conveys South Korea's Requests to Japanese Prime Minister
Opposition Pushes for Parliamentary Hearing on Japan's Radioactive Water Discharge

Following Japan's decision to proceed with the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant after the Korea-Japan summit, the Democratic Party of Korea is considering a 'claim rights card' through legislative measures. This involves preparing a support law for Korean fishermen affected, aiming to impose the cost burden on Japan.

Earlier, President Yoon Suk-yeol met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and conveyed South Korea's requests regarding the marine discharge of Fukushima contaminated water. Specifically, the three requests were: ▲ real-time sharing of monitoring information with South Korea to ensure the entire discharge process is carried out as planned ▲ participation of Korean experts in the discharge inspection process ▲ immediate suspension of discharge and sharing of relevant information with South Korea if the concentration of radioactive materials exceeds the standard.

The Democratic Party criticized President Yoon for effectively permitting the discharge of contaminated water. Wi Seong-gon, chairman of the Democratic Party's Countermeasures Committee to Prevent the Marine Dumping of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water, stated on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 14th, "Just because we have given so much to Japan does not mean Japan will support our people or guarantee their safety and lives."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party also announced that it is accelerating legislation related to the contaminated water issue. Wi said, "I have also proposed a special support law for affected fishermen," adding, "At the party meeting, we agreed to promote the related bill as a party stance."

He explained, "There is a compensation law for damages caused by the Pohang earthquake incident, and based on that law, we practically provide compensation to affected fishermen, merchants, and distributors within the entire scope," and "(also) to enable claims for damages to be made against Japan."

Amid concerns that imports of Fukushima seafood may resume, measures to ban imports of all Japanese seafood in response to the contaminated water discharge are also being discussed. Currently, South Korea has a complete ban on seafood imports from eight prefectures near Fukushima, but if the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water is accepted, there are concerns that the rationale for South Korea's seafood import ban could be undermined.

The Democratic Party also pushed for holding a parliamentary hearing related to the contaminated water issue. Last month, the ruling and opposition parties had agreed to hold a 'Japan Fukushima Contaminated Water Hearing,' but the agreement was broken due to disagreements over timing and conditions.

Regarding this, Lee So-young, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said, "Since the prerequisite condition of the International Atomic Energy Agency report, which the People Power Party insisted on, has been fulfilled, we will request the Speaker to promptly form a special verification committee and hold a hearing."