Lee Jae-myung's Letter to Japan's Kishida: "Postpone Contaminated Water Discharge and Conduct Proper Verification"

People Power Party "Only Invites International Ridicule"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, sent a letter on the 31st to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, demanding a suspension of the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. He stated that during the suspension period, a Korea-Japan expert group should be formed to derive a safe treatment plan. The People Power Party harshly criticized Lee's letter, saying it only invited "international ridicule."

In the letter, Lee said, "The whole world is deeply concerned about the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water into the ocean," and added, "I understand that many people in Japan still have concerns. ASEAN and Pacific island countries have expressed opposition, and many Korean citizens oppose it as well."

He continued, "Although the plan to discharge Fukushima contaminated water into the ocean 'meets international safety standards,' the IAEA's report stating 'there is no responsibility' has undermined trust in the Japanese government," and pointed out, "The IAEA verification task force excluded marine ecology experts and international environmental organizations, the sample analysis was conducted only once, and the multi-nuclide removal facility (ALPS) has not undergone actual performance verification since 2013. The report, which does not address these issues, makes one doubt whether the IAEA truly conducted a 'scientific verification.'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "The discharge of Fukushima contaminated water is an unprecedented event," and argued, "As long as 'reasonable doubts' are raised, the process of verification with sufficient data and information must continue."

Regarding this, Lee proposed five measures. First, he urged Japan to suspend the discharge of contaminated water and establish a permanent consultative body to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. He also demanded that the permanent consultative body include Korea-Japan expert groups and called for a review of the contaminated water treatment plan and the derivation of a safe treatment method. Furthermore, he suggested that if the Japanese government accepts, related countries should participate in the associated financial costs. Additionally, he proposed the formation of a joint nuclear power plant management organization among countries with a high density of nuclear power plants. He also expressed his intention to accept the results after filing for provisional measures at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea once the suspension period ends.

Lee said, "The whole world is watching Japan," and urged, "Please stop the plan to discharge Fukushima contaminated water into the ocean and make the best choice in a way that the world can agree upon." He added, "Japan's wise choice will seek cooperation from the whole world, including Korea," and stated, "I will wait for Prime Minister Kishida's weighty decision so that we can move toward a 'relationship for peace in East Asia.'"

The People Power Party harshly criticized Lee's letter, saying, "It only invites international ridicule." Yoo Sang-beom, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a commentary, "Since the Fukushima contaminated water issue is sensitive, the country should respond cautiously with a 'one voice' approach more than ever. However, the leader of the main opposition party is leading with a voice different from the government, harming national interests." Regarding the five demands, he said, "They are nothing but empty cries with no feasibility, and on what grounds does Lee claim that related countries should bear the financial costs and that China should be urged to cooperate?" He questioned, "If the leader of an opposition party from another country sent such a letter to our president, would Lee say that it is a natural act?" He added, "Diplomacy should have no ruling or opposition party, yet the leader of the main opposition party is leading the damage to national interests and sending a letter to a foreign leader that only invites ridicule. This will be recorded as an embarrassing scene in the history of South Korean diplomacy."