"Making a Safe Radioactive Water Promotion Video, Not in Favor?"
"Are the People Fools? Cowardly and Not Proud"
Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized the government's statement that it is "neither in favor nor supportive" of Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from Fukushima, saying, "They are playing word games with the public too much."
On the 23rd, Yoo appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "President Yoon Seok-yeol clearly stated in front of Prime Minister Kishida at the NATO summit in Lithuania on July 12, 'We respect the IAEA's announcement. If the discharge is carried out as planned...' In fact, he came back supporting the discharge," he said.
He added, "Yesterday, a first deputy minister-level official from the Office for Government Policy Coordination came out and said, '(The discharge of contaminated water) is not a problem scientifically or technically. However, the government clearly states that it is not in favor or supportive.' They are lying to the public after fully supporting it," and "Because they supported the discharge in front of the Japanese Prime Minister, the game was over then."
He continued, "The president, prime minister, and ministers all ran away because public sentiment is bad, and a mere deputy minister came out to make this official announcement. It is cowardly and not dignified," and pointed out, "If they were going to support an issue related to the health of the people and the safety of the sea, the president should have spoken directly."
He also said, "The presidential office even produced promotional videos about the safety of Fukushima contaminated water using the presidential office budget. How is this the stance of a country that opposes it?" and asked rhetorically, "Are the people fools?"
Former lawmaker Yoo said, "Some say, 'Even if the government opposes it, won't Japan do it anyway?' which is a reasonable argument," but added, "However, if countries like China, Pacific island nations, and our country, which is closest to Japan, oppose it, Japan would be under significant pressure and might seek alternative options."
He then criticized, saying, "But since we took the lead and became Japan's lackey and spokesperson by supporting it, the international community 'understood' and gave Japan all the justification."
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