Jeong Gi-myeong, Mayor of Yeosu, States Position on Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Discharge

Minimizing Damage, Protecting Citizens' Health and Well-being

"I, along with Yeosu City, will take the lead in ensuring the safety of seafood, minimizing damage, and protecting the health and well-being of our citizens."

Jeong Gi-myeong, Mayor of Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, made this resolute statement on the 24th by immediately issuing a public statement to citizens regarding the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean by Japan.

[Photo provided by Yeosu City]

In his statement, Mayor Jeong criticized, "Despite 80% of our nation's people strongly opposing the ocean discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan proceeded with it," adding, "This is only the beginning, and it is reported that approximately 1.34 million tons of contaminated water will be discharged over the next 30 years."

He continued, "On July 4th, the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) announced in a comprehensive report that the plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean meets international safety standards, but the distrust and anxiety among our people remain significant."

Mayor Jeong especially emphasized, "As the leading fisheries city on the southern coast and a city where the fisheries industry forms the foundation of the local economy, we cannot help but worry about the adverse effects on citizens' health and the regional economy," and stated, "From this point forward, we will devote all our efforts to securing seafood safety and protecting citizens' health with utmost determination."

He also urged the government, saying, "Please prepare practical compensation plans for workers in fisheries-related industries who suffer losses due to reduced seafood consumption, such as government seafood purchases, and continuously verify the safety of the contaminated water and transparently disclose the results."

Finally, addressing the citizens of Yeosu and the nation, he appealed, "Please actively participate in the seafood consumption campaign," and expressed hope that "we will show united strength and resilience to wisely overcome this crisis together."

Meanwhile, since Japan's unilateral decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean on April 13, 2021, Yeosu City has been preparing countermeasures through multiple meetings and response plans.

The city plans to organize a permanent duty team for radiation measurement and origin labeling inspections, thoroughly and continuously monitoring places with high seafood handling such as auction markets and traditional markets, and transparently disclose the results immediately on the city’s official website.

Additionally, the city will establish a Seafood Safety Center to enable independent radiation testing and analysis of seafood, and install a seawater radiation measurement system on the fisheries guidance vessel to strictly monitor the local waters.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr