As the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan began at 1 p.m. on the 24th, Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, issued a related statement.
Governor Park said at the provincial government press center, "The discharge of contaminated water from the nuclear power plant has started," and added, "It is regrettable and unfortunate."
"Although there was a verification result that this discharge measure complies with the safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), our province is adjacent to Japanese waters, so the concerns of our residents are significant," he said.
In response to Japan's nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge, he stated, "The safety of our residents is our top priority."
He announced efforts to ensure the reliability of investigation results through ▲immediate operation of on-site situation teams with related cities and counties ▲expansion of marine radiation survey points ▲strengthening radiation inspections at fish markets ▲expanding radiation inspections involving residents.
"We are establishing a safety system without blind spots in a double or triple manner throughout the entire process of seawater and seafood fish markets and distribution," he explained.
Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a statement regarding the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. [Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]
He also spoke about key strategies to minimize damage to the fisheries industry in the southern coastal area, which will be greatly affected by reduced seafood consumption and other related impacts.
These include ▲promoting discount sales campaigns for seafood produced in the province through agreements with representative online and offline distribution companies ▲expanding projects to supply seafood to company cafeterias of large corporations in shipbuilding, defense, and nuclear power sectors within the province.
He also promised to strengthen the execution of related budgets, including a preliminary budget of 1.6 billion KRW.
Governor Park said, "Along with the efforts of Gyeongnam Province, active support at the central government and National Assembly levels is necessary."
"If a rapid economic downturn occurs in the fisheries industry, related systems should be improved so that Geoje, Tongyeong, Namhae, and other areas can be designated as industrial crisis preemptive response regions," he emphasized.
In this regard, Gyeongnam Province plans to urge the prompt passage through the National Assembly of amendments to current laws, including a special law for regional industrial crisis response and regional economic recovery, which it proactively proposed.
He also plans to request active sharing of information related to the nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge and support for expanding inspection equipment to strengthen radiation inspections and ensure transparent disclosure with related local governments.
Governor Park said, "It is necessary to refrain from causing anxiety among residents or reducing seafood consumption based on scientifically unclear facts," and asked, "Let us unite our intentions for the safety of residents and the development of the fisheries industry."
He added, "Gyeongnam Province will do its best to ensure the safety of residents and support the fisheries industry."
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